Mashemeji Derby: Akonnor reveals how Gor Mahia outthought AFC Leopards in decisive victory

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has lifted the lid on the tactical blueprint that powered his side to a hard-fought 1-0 win over arch-rivals AFC Leopards in the 99th Mashemeji Derby on Sunday.

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The victory, sealed by a late strike from Alpha Onyango, saw Gor open a six-point gap at the top of the FKF Premier League.

Akonnor revealed that the win was no accident, but the result of detailed preparation and lessons drawn from their 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture last December.

“We studied our opponent thoroughly and strategised well. You could see in the first half that we controlled and dominated them.

That is exactly what we planned, and it worked. The boys did very well; I must salute them for the performance, not just the win,” he said.

K’Ogalo stamped their authority early, slicing through Ingwe’s setup in the first half, only to be denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi, who was forced into a string of crucial saves to keep his side in the contest.

Leopards’ key threats, including James Kinyanjui and Tyson Otieno, were effectively neutralised, closely marked and denied space to influence the game

“They stayed confident even when we did not find the net in the first half. They stuck to the plan, and in the end, we were rewarded,” Akonnor added.

“We executed everything we wanted to on the field. The goal may have had an element of luck, but it came after we created numerous chances, and that’s what happens when you work hard.”

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On the other side, AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani cut a frustrated figure and admitted it was simply not his team’s day.

“It was a bad day for us in the office. Things didn’t work out, and it is painful to lose,” he said.

Despite the setback, Ambani refused to throw in the towel in the title race, even as control slipped away from his side.

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“We still have games to play, and if Gor can lose and we win our games, we stand a chance,” he noted.

The defeat dealt a significant blow to Ingwe’s title ambitions, which halted their recent momentum that had trimmed Gor’s once commanding ten-point lead down to just three heading into the derby.