Gor Mahia players Philemon Otieno and Byrne Omondi have issued public apologies to their fans following a shocking 1-0 loss to Bidco United in their first match of the new SportPesa League season. Both players have vowed to redeem themselves and give their best performance when Gor Mahia face Sofapaka in a crucial league encounter on Saturday, September 27.
The defeat, which came via a late penalty, has left fans frustrated, especially after a trophyless 2023/24 season. The loss marked a disappointing start to the campaign under new Ghanaian head coach Charles Akonnor, who suffered defeat in his first competitive match in charge of the 20-time FKF Premier League champions.
Speaking after the match, club captain Philemon Otieno admitted that the team had fallen short of expectations, but reassured the supporters that the team is committed to improving. “To our fans, I know you expected us to start on a high, but sometimes in football, results don’t always go as planned,” Otieno said. “The league is a marathon, and I assure you we are on course. We will give our best to get the results, starting with our next match against Sofapaka.”
Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, who joined Gor Mahia from Bandari in the offseason, also expressed disappointment over the result but emphasized his optimism for the future. “We are disappointed by that result, but we promise to bounce back,” Omondi said. “I know you guys are disappointed, but I promise you we will bounce back for this game.”
The loss to Bidco United has put extra pressure on Akonnor, who was brought in to restore Gor Mahia’s former glory after a challenging season. The new coach faces mounting scrutiny as the team attempts to rebuild and regain its competitive edge, both domestically and in continental competitions. A second consecutive defeat could see the pressure intensify on both Akonnor and the senior players to step up. However, a convincing win against Sofapaka would help calm the nerves and reignite faith in Akonnor’s vision for the club.
