Ghana’s Charles Akonnor outlines vision for Gor Mahia after taking charge

Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor has outlined his plans after being unveiled ahead of the 2025/26 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.

The 51-year-old took charge at the Kenyan record champions after being appointed on a two-year contract. Akonnor arrived as a replacement for Zedekiah Otieno, who was fired at the end of last season.

Speaking for the first time after being unveiled, he said: “As for me, first of all it is the chemistry of the players, strengthening the chemistry within the players, they need to have that understanding, that love, that passion, that they will play together no matter what it is, and they will carry the flag of Gor Mahia to the next level.

“So, chemistry is very key for me, of course. Again, you talk about tactical awareness. I want to have flexibility in terms of how we approach games, because every game will not be the same, so we need to understand tactical awareness of what we want to do.

“Remember this is Africa and sometimes you go to a place where the field does not favour you, it means that you have to change your style of play, and this are things I am looking at, and of course, their (players) fitness will be very important, they need to be fit to be able to demonstrate what we have been doing in the past, weeks and months on the field of play.”

The former Wolfsburg player is one of the few Ghanaian coaches to have managed the nation’s two top clubs, Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and AshantiGold. Gor Mahia will be Akonnor’s first coaching stint outside Ghana.

After successful playing careers with Bundesliga sides Fortuna Koln and Wolfsburg, Akonnor honed his coaching career at the Right To Dream Academy before leaving for the then Ghana Premier League side Eleven Wise. He also had a coaching stint with Dreams FC.

Gor Mahia are rebuilding after a turbulent season and are desirous to make a huge impact in CAF inter-club competitions. Akonnor will connect with former Asante Kotoko midfielder Enoch Morrison, who joined the club last season.