Newly appointed Gor Mahia head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has appealed to fans for patience as he embarks on a mission to rebuild the club into a dominant force both locally and on the continental stage.
Akonnor, a former Ghana national team coach and seasoned midfielder, was officially unveiled alongside his assistant Bismark Kobi-Mensah as part of a Ghanaian coaching duo tasked with steering Gor Mahia back to success. With a rich background in coaching top teams in Ghana and a playing career spent largely in Germany, Akonnor brings a wealth of experience to the Kenyan giants.
During his unveiling, the coach acknowledged the high expectations that come with managing a club of Gor Mahia’s stature but remained confident in his ability to deliver. He emphasized that rebuilding the team into a consistent and competitive side will require time, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment.
“Being the coach of Gor Mahia means there is pressure, but I have been in similar environments before. I’ve coached top clubs in Ghana like Asante Kotoko and also worked in Germany. I understand what it takes to deal with such expectations,” he said.
Akonnor underlined the need to build a solid foundation, noting that success will not come overnight. “We want to develop a strong, competitive team that can dominate not only in the Kenyan league but also in continental competitions. This process will take time. We’re looking at immediate fixes, short-term goals, and a long-term vision.”
The coach’s appointment comes at a critical time for Gor Mahia, who finished the 2024/25 season without silverware. The club failed to defend their FKF Premier League title, finishing second behind Kenya Police FC, and also lost the FKF Cup final to Nairobi United.
Akonnor faces the daunting task of restoring Gor Mahia’s dominance and reigniting the passion of the fanbase. While he remains ambitious about winning the league, he stressed that groundwork must be laid to achieve lasting success.
As the new technical bench takes charge, Gor Mahia fans will be watching closely, hopeful that the Ghanaian duo can revive the club’s winning culture and elevate it to new heights.
