Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has backed his charges to emerge from their current slump and rediscover their best form, calling for patience as pressure mounts on his position.
The Ghanaian tactician has come under increasing scrutiny from a section of K’Ogalo supporters following a string of disappointing performances that have left the club struggling to meet the high expectations attached to the reigning Kenyan champions.
But Akonnor remains convinced that his side can turn the situation around if given sufficient time to adapt to his methods and improve their execution in key areas. “We need a little bit of patience because we are building something,” Akonnor said, urging supporters not to make rushed judgments over the team’s early struggles.
The coach has been working to introduce a high-intensity pressing system, with the approach requiring the players to quickly adjust to new positional and defensive responsibilities.
Akonnor believes the process of establishing a clear tactical identity cannot be completed overnight, particularly with players still becoming accustomed to his demands. “The players are trying to understand what we want from them, and it takes time for everything to come together,” he said.
Gor’s biggest concern in recent matches has been their inability to turn promising passages of play into goals. Akonnor has acknowledged the frustration but insists the team is creating enough opportunities to suggest that a turnaround is possible. “We create chances, but sometimes we don’t take them. This is football, and we have to continue working,” he said.
The lack of cutting edge in the final third has particularly tested the patience of Gor supporters, who have become accustomed to watching their team dominate opponents and collect points consistently.
Akonnor, however, has challenged his players to remain composed and improve their decision-making when opportunities arise.
The coach has also had to address defensive shortcomings, with individual mistakes proving costly in some of Gor’s recent matches. He believes the errors can be corrected through greater concentration and collective responsibility. “We have to look at the mistakes, correct them and become better as a team,” Akonnor said.
The pressure on the coach has been further heightened by Gor’s demanding continental schedule, which has exposed the team to opposition with considerable experience at the highest level of African club football.
Gor suffered a 2-0 defeat to Egyptian giants Pyramids FC in the first leg of their CAF Champions League encounter at Nyayo National Stadium, a result that left the club with a difficult task in the return leg.
Akonnor, nevertheless, views such encounters as important lessons for his players as they seek to raise their standards. “When you play against a team like Pyramids, you learn a lot. We have to take the lessons and improve,” he said.
Despite the criticism from supporters, the Gor hierarchy has continued to back the coach, with chairman Ambrose Rachier calling for calm and patience during the rebuilding process. Akonnor understands the frustration among fans but says their expectations are also a reflection of the club’s stature and tradition of success. “I understand the fans because they want Gor Mahia to win every game. I also want to win every game,” he said.
The coach is now hoping his players can translate their training-ground work into improved performances and results, with the coming matches expected to provide a clearer indication of whether the team is making progress.
Akonnor insists abandoning the process at the first sign of difficulty would be counterproductive, arguing that consistency and hard work are necessary to establish his philosophy.
“We need to stay together, work hard and keep improving because this is not something that can change in one or two games,” he said.
The former Ghana national team coach remains confident that Gor can recover from their difficult spell and compete strongly once the players fully embrace his tactical ideas. “I believe in these players, and I believe in what we are doing. If we remain focused, we will get there,” Akonnor said.
