'This Will Probably Take Some Time' – Charles Akonnor Urges Patience as He Begins Gor Mahia Rebuild

Charles Akonnor Playing Career

'This Will Probably Take Some Time' – Charles Akonnor Urges Patience as He Begins Gor Mahia Rebuild

Abigael Wafula 21:01 - 01.08.2025

New Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has urged fans to be patient as he begins the long-term process of rebuilding the team into a dominant force in Kenya and across Africa.

Newly appointed Gor Mahia coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has asked fans to be patient with him as he looks to build a strong team that will be unbeatable not only in Kenya but also in Africa.

Charles Kwablan Akonnor was unveiled on Friday as the new coach, and he will be assisted by fellow Ghanaian Bismark Kobi-Mensah as they look to guide Gor Mahia back to winning ways next season.

Having coached Ghana’s football national team, the Black Stars, Charles Kwablan Akonnor brings with him a wealth of experience.

A former midfielder, he spent the majority of his club career in Germany and earned 51 caps for the Ghana national team, scoring 13 goals.

Charles Kwablan Akonnor served as head coach of the Ghana national football team from 2019 to 2021, until he and his assistants, David Duncan and Patrick Greveraars, were dismissed following the termination of their contracts after a narrow win over Ethiopia and a loss to South Africa in a World Cup qualifier.

Charles Kwablan Akonnor on What Fans Should Expect as He Takes Over Gor Mahia

Charles Kwablan Akonnor on What Fans Should Expect as He Takes Over Gor Mahia
Charles Kwablan Akonnor on What Fans Should Expect as He Takes Over Gor Mahia

During his unveiling, Charles Kwablan Akonnor revealed that he has endured the pressure of coaching top clubs in Ghana and Germany and is unafraid of what lies ahead in his role as Gor Mahia’s head coach.

Charles Kwablan Akonnor pointed out that he wants to ensure Gor Mahia becomes a team to be feared, as he urged fans to maintain patience.

“Being a coach of Gor Mahia, it’s almost everywhere. In Ghana, we have Asante Kotoko, which I also coached, and in Germany as well, so I understand the pressure. But we want to build a solid team. We have to build a solid team, and that is a process; our main focus is to achieve that,” he said.

“We want a team that will be consistent and will compete not just in Kenya but in Africa. That is what we are here for. But this will probably take some time, first we will have to look at the immediate solution, short-term term and the long term.

“We want to do well and win the league, but there are a lot of things we need to do to get to that level, so we do understand the pressure.”

Gor Mahia ended the 2024/25 season trophyless, after failing to defend their Football Kenya Federation Premier League title, finishing second behind Kenya Police FC.

Gor Mahia also failed to impress in the FKF Cup final, losing 2-1 to Nairobi United. As he takes over, Charles Kwablan Akonnor has the huge task of turning things around.