Gor Mahia head coach reveals why he prefers to start Ebenezer Assifuah on the bench
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 19.05.26. | 20:19
The former Le Havre striker was signed in the mid-season transfer window, with his last stint being with Malaysian side Kedah Darul Aman FC
Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has revealed why he opts to start with experienced striker Ebenezer Assifuah on the bench despite his hot goal-scoring streak.
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The former Le Havre striker was signed in the mid-season transfer window, with his last stint being with Malaysian side Kedah Darul Aman FC.
Akonnor highlighted the role of Assifuah, who came off the bench to score the third goal in the 3-1 win over Murang'a Seal on Sunday, underlining the importance of squad management in a demanding title race.
“We have to manage him well. He can play 90 minutes, but if we have people who can run at the defenders, then he comes in to score. He has shown and proved it,” he noted.
The result came just a day after AFC Leopards had briefly tightened the title race, beating Kakamega Homeboyz 2-1 on Saturday to reduce the gap to a single point.
However, Gor Mahia answered the pressure unequivocally, producing a composed display to reassert control of the championship chase.
Akonnor also admitted pre-match concerns about how his players would handle the intensity of the run-in, especially with momentum swinging between the two title contenders.
“The win was very important for us. We knew what the opponents can do, they like to have the ball and play, but we were not too worried. We just needed to be compact and press,” he said in an interview with the club's media.
He added that the biggest challenge was ensuring mental stability within the squad after AFC Leopards’ result had raised the stakes.
“Before this match, AFC closed the gap to one point, and if you are not careful, players who are not strong mentally can give up. But they were composed, we spoke to them, and mentally they were ready to deliver,” Akonnor explained.
Gor Mahia responded well on the pitch despite conceding, with the coach revealing that halftime adjustments focused heavily on restoring confidence and discipline.
“We started very well in the first half, but we gave them a goal. At the break, we talked to the players, prepared their mental toughness and made them aware,” he said.
The turnaround was sealed in the second half as Gor Mahia regained control and secured all three points, with Akonnor also praising the impact of his bench options.
Akonnor also acknowledged the influence of the club’s supporters, who turned up in large numbers at Nyayo Stadium to back the team during a critical moment in the season.
With the win, Gor Mahia remain top of the FKF Premier League standings on 68 points, four clear of AFC Leopards and will most likely seal the title this coming weekend.