A Huge Misunderstanding — Gor Mahia Boss Charles Akonnor Explains Feud With Mathare United Technical Bench Following Win

Both Gor Mahia and Mathare United technical benches were involved in a scuffle following their league clash at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday.

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has downplayed reports of a feud with Mathare United’s technical bench following his side’s 2–0 SportPesa Premier League victory at the Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday.

Goals from Shariff Musa and Bryson Wangai sealed Gor Mahia’s fourth consecutive win, but the post-match discussion was overshadowed by a tense exchange between the two benches. 

Both Akonnor and Mathare head coach John Kamau failed to shake hands before or after the game, sparking speculation of a fallout.

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Speaking after the match, Akonnor clarified the incident, insisting that it was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

“I think he just wanted to greet me before the game started, but I wasn’t around at that moment,” Akonnor said.

 “After the match, emotions were high — he wasn’t in a happy mood after losing, and I understand that. But some of the words used were not acceptable in our game. It’s fine; these things happen.”

How Gor Mahia Beat Mathare

The Ghanaian tactician shifted focus to the performance on the pitch, praising his side’s composure and tactical maturity in breaking down a stubborn Mathare outfit.

“We were aware of their style — they like to keep the ball and play patiently,” he noted. 

“In the first half, we struggled to close them down but used the wide areas well. When they switched to a back three, it actually favoured us, and that’s how our first goal came. The boys executed our plan perfectly.”

The match itself was a tale of two halves. Mathare United started brightly, with Patrice Esombe and Kevin Ouru both coming close to giving the Slum Boys the lead. 

Gor Mahia, however, grew into the game, and Musa finally broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart. Wangai then sealed the points in stoppage time, finishing off a swift counterattack.

The victory continued Gor Mahia’s strong run of form, keeping them within touching distance of the league leaders. But Akonnor dismissed suggestions that his side’s recent surge was a “statement” to rivals.

“Not necessarily,” he said. “We’re just playing our football. Even in our first match, which we lost, we played very well and created chances.

“ We’re improving every week — the players understand our system, and even those coming off the bench fit right in. Football is a learning process, and we’re all growing together.”

Mathare United’s Kamau, meanwhile, will rue missed chances from the first half as his side struggled to keep their winning momentum from the Shabana game going.

 Despite their early control and attacking intent, the Slum Boys faded after the break, undone by Gor Mahia’s sharper execution and superior game management.

For Akonnor and his men, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum — and ensuring that next time, the talking points remain firmly on the football.