Gor Mahia managed a narrow 1-0 victory over Tusker FC at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, but assistant coach Charles Akonnor refused to celebrate fully, citing the team’s less-than-convincing performance.
The match saw both sides struggle to dominate possession, with Gor Mahia relying on an early stroke of luck to secure the win. In the seventh minute, Tusker’s right-back Collins Odhiambo misjudged a back pass, which slipped past his goalkeeper and into the net, giving K’Ogalo an early advantage.
Despite the early goal, Gor Mahia found it difficult to create clear-cut chances. Midfielder Austine Odhiambo came closest to extending the lead before halftime, with a long-range effort narrowly missing the target. Tusker also had opportunities, as Denis Oalo and Cliff Oruko forced crucial saves from the Gor Mahia goalkeeper. The match, while intense in moments, lacked consistent attacking threat from either side.
Akonnor acknowledged the importance of the three points but was candid about his team’s overall performance. He attributed some of the team’s sluggishness to the recent international break, which saw seven Gor Mahia players away on national duty with the Harambee Stars. Their late return affected the team’s preparation and energy levels, though Akonnor emphasized it was not an excuse.
“Three points are important, but we were not at our best today. The boys showed resilience, managing to protect the early lead despite not hitting the performance levels we aim for,” he explained.
The win keeps Gor Mahia at the top of the FKF Premier League table with 19 points. After dropping points in the opening match of the season, K’Ogalo have now gone on a solid run, recording five wins, two draws, and only one loss in their subsequent fixtures.
Looking ahead, the team will aim to regain their attacking fluency and continue building momentum as the season progresses. Akonnor remains focused on improvement, signaling that while the points matter, the overall quality of play is equally important to maintain their title challenge.
