Charles Akonnor Playing Career

Charles Akonnor insists Gor Mahia are struggling like Manchester United, but believes they can rise to Simba SC’s level with unity and hard work.

Charles Akonnor has compared Gor Mahia to Manchester United as he urged fans to stay patient in his bid to rebuild the club.

The former Black Stars coach revealed that Gor Mahia is undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in East Africa, but at the moment, they have struggled to maintain that standard.

Last season, Gor Mahia ended their season trophyless, finishing second behind Kenya Police FC in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

After failing to reclaim their title, Gor Mahia also failed to make the cut to represent Kenya in the Confederation of African Football Champions League. They also lost 2-1 to Nairobi United in the FKF Cup final.

According to Charles Akonnor, Gor Mahia have the capability of going to the top and being compared with other clubs like Simba SC, but some things need to be addressed.

Charles Akonnor explained that during their pre-season friendly against Simba SC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, where they lost 2-0, there was a lot to learn on and off the pitch.

The tactician explained that he admired how Simba SC handled their affairs, with high standards, and he believes that Gor Mahia can go back to that standard.

“Well, I think as a club it is big in this part of our world, the eastern part of Africa. Yes, they are known, but something has fallen apart, you know, and I think it means that not just me all of us, you know, have to look at it from that angle to work towards achieving another success,” Charles Akonnor revealed in an interview with SportPesa.

“We recently were in Tanzania, and we saw that what Simba is doing is great, and I believe this is where Gor Mahia would like to be, and they belong to that area too, that level of teams, and so they need to work very well.”

Charles Akonnor stated that he has come to raise the image of the team again and ensure they achieve success in a very short time, but emphasised that it required everyone to work together.

He explained that football is sometimes influenced from outside, and that this can be carried onto the field, noting that the same applies to Gor Mahia.

Charles Akonnor added that if the atmosphere surrounding the team is solid, the positive effects would clearly show, and he wanted the management to also recognise this. Akonnor also stressed that management needed to be aware that a lot of work was required.

“I compare if you look at even Manchester United now, it’s a big club, but there’s something fundamentally wrong with the team, and that’s why they are not successful. A few years ago, they were always winning and a few years back, they’ve not been winning,” he insisted.

“There must be something wrong, and therefore, it means that we all have to sit down and look at it from that angle so we can work together and then have it done in a very positive way. I’m here to do that. I’m here to be able to achieve that.

“That is because I am somebody who wants to win. In my career as a coach, I have been able to achieve some success, and it’s not different from Gor Mahia, but I need good management, supporters and everybody to support the cause so we can all move to that level.”

Charles Akonnor is determined to restore Gor Mahia to its former glory and elevate the club to the level of top East African teams like Simba SC.

While acknowledging the challenges the team currently faces, he emphasised the importance of collective effort, from players, management, and supporters alike, to rebuild the club’s image and achieve success.