Gor Mahia head coach, Charles Akonnor, extended a heartfelt apology to the passionate K’Ogalo Green Army after a disappointing defeat against APS Bomet in a SPL match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
With sincerity and honesty, the coach confronted his team’s struggles, acknowledging their challenges in the wake of the match and expressing his commitment to bringing them back to form.
Acknowledging the disappointing result, Akonnor took full responsibility, stating, “It’s a very bad result for us. Looking at what we did last week, it was clear that somehow we were not fresh. We thought that bringing in fresh legs would help, but unfortunately, it didn’t go our way.”
The coach’s tactical choices came under scrutiny, particularly his decision to rotate players in a crucial fixture. Despite starting with a four-man defense, Akonnor opted to shift to a three-back formation in the second half, hoping it would put pressure on their opponents.
However, the strategy backfired as Gor Mahia struggled to maintain possession and failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Akonnor reflected on the changes, admitting, “We lacked the ability to play well, to keep the ball, and all that. It was very, very bad.” The coach recognized the dire nature of the defeat but remained optimistic about future matches, insisting, “We need to go back and head up. We’re still in a good position to do well in our next match.”
Despite the disheartening loss, there was an air of hope as Akonnor looked towards the upcoming Mashimeji Derby. “This is a wake-up call for us,” he remarked. “Sometimes we learn from our mistakes, and this was a big blow to us. Personally, how we played and how we conceded the goals was not good, and it’s been bad.”
The standout performer of the match was APS Bomet’s Hansel Ochieng, who scored a remarkable hat-trick, demonstrating his prowess and capitalizing on Gor Mahia’s defensive lapses.
The defeat not only compounds Gor Mahia’s struggles this season but also highlights the changing dynamics within the league, where teams at the bottom can deliver surprising results against traditionally stronger opponents.
As Gor Mahia prepares for their next fixture, the urgency to rectify their mistakes and improve their performance is palpable among players and coaching staff. The team will have just a few days to regroup and strategize ahead of the highly anticipated derby, which will be crucial for their aspirations this season.
With the league table tightening and pressure mounting, Gor Mahia must channel their frustrations into a more focused approach in order to regain their footing before it’s too late. Fans and critics will be closely watching how the team responds to this latest challenge as they aim to turn the tide in the team’s favor.
