Gor Mahia Coach Reveals Tactical Plan that Sunk AFC Leopards in Mashemeji Derby

Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor has opened up about his team’s strategy in the 99th Mashemeji Derby which they won 1-0 against bitter rivals AFC Leopards on Sunday.

Alpha Onyango’s late goal settled the contest which could have a huge bearing on the FKF Premier League title race as Gor Mahia opened a six-point lead over Leopards with five games remaining.

Akonnor, whose team had lost the corresponding fixture 1-0 last December, says that defeat informed how he planned for Sunday’s encounter as he identified Leopards’ dangermen and ensured they were kept quiet.

“We looked at the opponent very well compared to what we did in the first round,” Akonnor told Azam TV.

“We looked at exactly what they are made of and so we strategized everything and you realize in the first half we were better. We controlled the game and they couldn’t operate. That is exactly what we planned.”

K’Ogalo were all over Ingwe, especially in the first half, where they carved them open with goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi making a number of key saves.

Leopards dangermen James Kinyanjui and Tyson Otieno also found the going tough as they were watched closely and by the time the goal was being scored, K’Ogalo had knocked on the door several times, to the delight of their Ghanaian coach.

“It worked and I must say the boys have done so well,” added Akonnor. “I salute them because of the performance, not just the result. And also, the belief, in the first half, we had a lot of chances and could not score but they believed and worked so hard and at the end, they were rewarded with a goal.”

Gor Mahia’s win took their tally to 61 points from 29 matches, six ahead of Leopards, who have also played the same number of games, and with five to go, it is K’Ogalo’s title to lose.