'It Is Not a Decider' – Gor Mahia Coach Calms Title Race Talk Ahead of Mashemeji Derby

Charles Akonnor has described the upcoming Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards as a crucial encounter in the Kenya Premier League, but stopped short of calling it a title decider, noting that several matches remain after Sunday’s clash.

Gor Mahia currently lead the standings with 58 points, just three ahead of AFC Leopards, and Akonnor emphasised that his side has been working tirelessly in preparation for the high-stakes fixture.

However, K’Ogalo head into the derby under pressure after a dip in form, managing only two points from their last three matches, including goalless draws against Kariobangi Sharks and Bandari FC, before falling 1-0 to Tusker FC.

In contrast, AFC Leopards have shown flashes of strong form, collecting four points from their last three outings. They recorded a convincing 2-0 win over Murang’a Seal and a 1-1 draw with Sofapaka, although their momentum was dented by a heavy 3-0 loss to Kenya Police.

Charles Akonnor revealed that his focus is firmly on improving his own team’s performance rather than worrying about AFC Leopards, stressing that their priority is to sustain their lead at the top of the Kenya Premier League.

He explained that while the upcoming Mashemeji Derby is a high-profile and emotionally charged fixture, it should be viewed within the broader context of the season, as there are still several important games remaining.

Akonnor added that his players understand the significance of the clash in terms of rivalry and expectations, but he cautioned against treating it as the defining moment of the title race.

Instead, he emphasised the need for consistency across all remaining fixtures, noting that maintaining focus and delivering strong performances beyond the derby would ultimately be key to their ambitions of finishing at the summit.

“We are looking at ourselves; we are not looking at AFC, we are looking at what we can do to maintain our place at the top. But let’s not forget that this is not the only match we have; we shall be playing other matches. Our match against AFC Leopards is one of the biggest matches as far as the Kenyan league is concerned, but it is not a decider,” he said during the press conference.

Charles Akonnor said that his team understands the realities of the game, acknowledging that results can vary, but emphasised the importance of maintaining concentration and discipline throughout.

Akonnor added that mental resilience is crucial given the intensity and external pressure surrounding the derby, noting that his players have shown strong commitment in training and appear well-prepared.

He further explained that the technical bench has done everything possible to ensure the squad is psychologically ready to handle the demands of such a high-stakes encounter.

“Football includes winning and losing matches, and what you have to do is to remain focused. We should be the team that does not give any opponents a chance. We want to focus on this match,” the coach said.

“We know that mentally we need to be strong because this match comes with a lot of issues. The boys have trained very well, and we are ready. We have done everything within our power to ensure that the boys are mentally prepared.”