Charles Akonnor is Right: Gor Mahia’s Softness Off the Ball is Proving Costly After APS Bomet, AFC Leopards Defeats

When the final whistle was blown during the 98th Mashemeji Derby encounter between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at the Nyayo National Stadium, the sense of euphoria witnessed among Ingwe faithful was beyond the roof.

After all, Leopards were winning the clash for the first time since April 2023, beating their sworn rivals 1-0 courtesy of a Julius Masaba goal, which now puts them in sixth place on 17 points, three behind leaders Kenya Police.

For Gor Mahia fans, they never even bothered expressing their frustration. The team had been well beaten, considering Leopards were dominant throughout. 

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

For a club whose fans have created a reputation for being sore losers, the mood reflected everything. That they were well beaten, in every sense of the word.

After the clash, Ghanaian head coach Charles Akonnor, who witnessed the side suffer an embarrassing 4-1 loss to APS Bomet at the very same venue only two weeks ago, expressed what many a fan have been stating for a while now, that the lack of work ethic off the ball is a huge concern.

During the clash, Akonnor opted to start with Harambee Stars keeper Bryne Omondi in goal. Mike Kibwage, Sylvester Owino, Paul Ochuoga and Bryton Onyona were the back four, with Enock Morrison, Austin Odhiambo and Fidel Origa, while upfront, Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw, Felix Oluoch and Shariff Musa were tasked with getting K’Ogalo the goals.

During the build up phase, Morrison would drop in between or either side of Kibwage and Owino in efforts to create numerical superiority during build up and draw AFC Leopards’ press, with Origa and Austin tasked with covering the gaps left in case there was a turn over in possession.

However, Odhiambo, who is famed for his brilliance on the ball, is not the best tracker of the ball without possession, and this allowed AFC Leopards to take full advantage, using Victor Omune’s ability to retain possession and drop deep to occupy those spaces left.

It was an approach that consistently allowed Ingwe to get the likes of Tyson Otieno, James Kinyanjui and goalscorer Masaba into play, in a game that would have quite comfortably seen them win by a bigger margin.

Speaking to the media after the game, Akonnor was quite blank. Responding to a question by Pulse Sports as to whether switching to a back three during the start was what cost them the game, Akonnor blamed it more on a lack of work ethic off the ball, considering it worked against Kenya Police and Tusker.

Akonnor stressed that Gor Mahia’s biggest issue is not structural but attitudinal. He highlighted that the midfield lacks the aggression, intensity and collective commitment needed to defend effectively without the ball. 

“Our midfield is a bit of a problem because they are not aggressive enough. That is creating a lot of problems for us,” Akonnor explained. His frustration was clear: Gor Mahia’s players are reluctant to engage physically and defensively when they lose possession.

He added, “We cannot be just wanting to have the ball, but not be willing to tackle. That is a major problem for us and we have to solve it. It has nothing to do with a back three or back four. It is how we express ourselves on the field of play.”

Akonnor emphasised the importance of a collective mentality: “Some just want to have the ball (alone). That will not work, especially against opponents that are motivated. We have said these several times. Gor Mahia is a big team, and everyone is determined to show what they can do against us.”

He laid bare the fundamental question any team must answer in modern football: “We only want to play, but when we do not have the ball, what do you do?”

For Akonnor, it is not about individual skill but collective attitude and effort. “These players need to learn. I think something has gone to their head. Maybe our way of doing things is not good. But that is why I am here to make sure we work it out, and the players get it right.”

While he acknowledged the talent is there, he lamented that Gor Mahia have lost some of their defensive identity. “They are not that bad, but there are certain things we used to do that we are not anymore.”

Looking ahead, Akonnor is focused on course correction. “We have to go back, think, rethink and try and get it right. It is a long journey, but we will try and make sure we try and strengthen the team in one or two ways.”