The newly appointed Gor Mahia coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, has requested that fans give him time as he aims to construct a strong team that will be unbeatable not only in Kenya but also in Africa.
Akonnor was unveiled as the new coach on Friday, and he will be assisted by fellow Ghanaian Bismark Kobi-Mensah as they work to guide Gor Mahia back to winning ways next season.
Having previously coached Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, Akonnor brings a wealth of experience to his new role. 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.
Akonnor served as head coach of the Ghana national football team from 2019 to 2021. His tenure came to an end after he and his assistants, David Duncan and Patrick Greveraars, were dismissed following a narrow win over Ethiopia and a loss to South Africa in a World Cup qualifier.
During his unveiling, Akonnor spoke about the pressure of coaching top clubs both in Ghana and Germany, expressing that he is prepared for the challenges ahead as Gor Mahia’s head coach. He emphasised his desire for Gor Mahia to become a team to be feared while appealing for patience from the fans.
“Being a coach of Gor Mahia is something I understand well. In Ghana, there is Asante Kotoko, which I also coached, and I faced similar pressures in Germany. We want to build a solid team, and that takes time,” he said.
“Our main focus is to create a consistent team that can compete not just in Kenya but in Africa. While we aim to perform well and win the league, there are many steps we need to take to reach that level, and we recognize the pressure involved.”
Gor Mahia ended the 2024/25 season without a trophy, having failed to defend their Football Kenya Federation Premier League title and finishing second behind Kenya Police FC. They also fell short in the FKF Cup final, losing 2-1 to Nairobi United. As Akonnor takes over, he faces the significant challenge of turning the team’s fortunes around.