Charles Akonnor got his first win as Gor Mahia coach against Sofapaka, making ammends for their opening loss to Bidco United last weekend.

Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor has revealed the key tactical change to his set-up that allowed them to bounce back from their season-opening loss to Bidco United and beat Sofapaka 2-0 in their FKF Premier League encounter at Dandora Stadium on Saturday.

Akonnor, who previously coached Ghana’s Black Stars, saw his side register the win thanks to a brace by Ebenezer Adukwaw, an off-season signing also from the West African nation.

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Speaking to Azam TV following the win, Akonnor explained the one tactical change that he made that inspired his charges to produce a better result.

“It was very important for us to win today’s game after losing last week,” Akonnor said.

The coach believes the Dandora playing surface, which comprises a slippery artificial turf, made it difficult for them to play out from the back, which necessitated a change in approach compared to their first game at Kasarani Stadium last weekend.

“What was important was to keep playing the same way with the same style, but the field was not favorable for us, so we went direct,” the former Wolfsburg midfielder explained.

“We did not build attacks from the back, but we wanted to play the game in their half, and it helped that we ended up scoring two goals in the end.”

Despite the win, Akonnor remains unsatisfied with certain elements about his team tactically, revealing that more work still needs to be done.

Akonnor believes new signing Felix Oluoch, who represented Kenya at CHAN 2024, must be more effective at making threatening runs into the opposition box.

“We brought in Felix to make those runs. Yes, he made those moves to create space for Adukwo and others, but it still was not enough.

“We still need to work and sharpen these things. After such a long off-season break, it takes some time for things to click into place. We will keep working on the training ground and hopefully within the next two or three weeks, we will have solved that situation.”