Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has played down fears surrounding Sunday’s SportPesa League clash against Shabana, insisting his team will focus on football despite past crowd trouble at Gusii Stadium.
Speaking on Wednesday in Nairobi, the Ghanaian tactician said Gor Mahia’s mission is clear: collect maximum points, maintain their place at the summit, and block out all off-pitch distractions that once turned the Kisii venue into a battleground of controversy.
Akonnor’s calm tone comes against the backdrop of painful memories for Gor Mahia supporters. Last season, Gusii Stadium descended into chaos when Gor Mahia fans were attacked by goons armed with crude weapons, triggering nationwide outrage. The incident hardened K’Ogalo’s stance, with fans vowing never to attend matches at the venue again.
For a brief moment, Football Kenya Federation intervened. They shifted the fixture to Moi Stadium, Kasarani, citing safety concerns and the need to prevent further fan unrest. However, hosts Shabana — popularly known as Tore Bobe — lodged a formal complaint and the match was returned to Kisii.
Despite the history, Akonnor said his technical bench will not be drawn into external noise.
“We are not looking at the off-field issues. It’s not our mandate,” Akonnor said. “The federation will have to look at that. We will work on the field of play. That is what matters most for us.”
The record Kenyan champions head into the weekend clash buoyed by confidence and goals. On Tuesday, Gor Mahia dismantled bottom-placed Kariobangi Sharks 4-1 at Moi Stadium, Kasarani, a result that lifted them to the top of the standings.
K’Ogalo now sit on 26 points, two clear of second-placed Kakamega Homeboyz, underlining their early title credentials under Akonnor. The coach believes the emphatic win injected fresh belief into his squad.
“It’s very important that we scored four goals. It’s very encouraging,” Akonnor said. “Knowing that Shabana will be a difficult match, we will have to be prepared. It’s a very long journey.”
Short passes. Sharp movement. Ruthless finishing. Gor Mahia finally looked like a side settling into Akonnor’s philosophy. Despite their contrasting league positions, Akonnor expects a stern examination in Kisii.
Gusii Stadium remains one of the most intimidating venues. The narrow pitch. The vocal home crowd. The pressure to respond after defeat.
Shabana arrive bruised and restless. A stinging 3-1 defeat at home to newcomers Nairobi United has rattled confidence, sharpened scrutiny and turned Sunday’s fixture into a must-answer moment.
Akonnor is aware of the danger. “I’ve been told it’s a difficult area to go,” he admitted. “But we will focus on what happens on the pitch.”
Beyond the weekend fixture, Akonnor is also navigating a key transition in his squad. The departure of skipper Austin Odhiambo has left a creative gap in midfield.
Odhiambo was the heartbeat of Gor Mahia’s engine room — dictating tempo, linking play, and offering leadership.
“If there is an opportunity for him to go and make some money, we should allow him,” Akonnor said. “He is one of the faithful guys who have served this club for a long time.”
“The money you (Austin) are offered, we cannot give you,” he said. “It was difficult not to allow him to go.”
History slightly favours K’Ogalo. When the two sides last met on May 25, 2025, Gor Mahia edged Shabana 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter.
by TONY MBALLA
