Gor Mahia Coach Breaks Silence on APS Bomet Thrashing as He Warns AFC Leopards Ahead of Mashemeji Derby

Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor has taken responsibility for the 4-1 loss to APS Bomet as he assured fans that the team will be ready for the Mashemeji derby against AFC Leopards.

Gor Mahia were humiliated by the newly-promoted club, despite having a bright start in the fifth minute through new Ghanaian striker George Amonoo.

However, the rest of the day belonged to the hosts, APS Bomet, driven by a sensational performance from Hansel Ochieng. Ochieng netted a quick brace just before halftime, converting a penalty in the 40th minute before scoring from open play in the 43rd to give Bomet a 2-1 lead.

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He then completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute, pouncing on a rebound to stretch the lead to 3-1. Rodgers Kipkemoi sealed the famous victory for APS Bomet in the 87th minute with a clever dink over the advancing Gor Mahia goalkeeper, completing the 4-1 rout.

The shock results ended Gor Mahia’s seven-match unbeaten run, while the win was a massive boost for APS Bomet, lifting them off the very bottom of the league standings.

Speaking after the match, Charles Akonnor said he accepted full responsibility for the team’s disappointing outing, acknowledging that the performance fell far short of what they had prepared for.

He explained that the previous match had taken a lot out of the players and that the technical bench believed a change in the lineup would provide the balance and energy needed, though the plan ultimately failed to produce the desired effect.

Charles Akonnor noted that the result was difficult for everyone to take but stressed the importance of maintaining confidence and focusing on their next assignment, which he still believed the team was well-placed to approach positively.

The Gor Mahia coach admitted it had been a tough day for the squad and the technical bench alike, but insisted that they had no choice but to regroup and move forward, adding that he took full responsibility for the outcome.

“Well, I take responsibility for the results. It was a very bad result for us. Looking at what we did last weekend, it was clear that we were not fresh, so there was a need to break, and we thought that the guys we would bring in would help,” he said in a video shared by LTN Sports.

“It didn’t go our way, and it was a very bad game for us, we have lost, but we need to go back with our heads up. We are still in a good position to do well in our next match, and that is very important. For now, it is a very bad result, a very bad day for us, but life has to go on. I’m responsible for this.”

Charles Akonnor went on to explain that the Gor Mahia have already shifted focus to the upcoming Mashemeji derby against AFC Leopards, noting that they would be fully prepared for the challenge.

He described the recent setback as an important wake-up call, emphasising that difficult moments often provide valuable lessons.

Charles Akonnor admitted that the manner in which they played and conceded had come as an unpleasant surprise, far from what he had envisioned for the team.

Even so, he stressed that dwelling on the disappointment will not help them, and that their priority now is to regroup, sharpen their focus, and work on the areas that need immediate improvement ahead of their next match.

“Yeah, we are ready, we shall be ready for that match. This is a wake-up call for us. It is very important. Sometimes we learn from our mistakes, and this was a big blow to us; we didn’t expect that,” Charles Akonnor added.

“How we played, conceded the goals, was not what I imagined, and it’s been bad, but we have a match again, and we need to concentrate on what we can do to improve in the match.”

With the status of the Mashemeji derby still uncertain for this Saturday, Gor Mahia remain steadfast in their preparation.

Despite the recent setback, the team is pressing forward with confidence, determined to respond positively should the derby go ahead.