New Gor Mahia head coach outlines three demands from his players

Newly appointed Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has outlined three things that he will expect from his players ahead of the new FKF Premier League season.

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The Ghanaian tactician was unveiled as the new head coach of K'Ogalo on Friday, 1 August, bringing an end to a month-long recruitment process and vacancy in the position.

Akonnor took over from former Harambee Stars coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, who was sent packing alongside the entire technical bench after the club missed out on the Mozzart Bet Cup, ending the season trophyless.

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Speaking to the club's media after his unveiling, the 51-year-old revealed the three ingredients that he will demand from his players, with unity being the foundation.

“With the players, they need to have that understanding, that love and passion that they will play together no matter what it is and that they will carry the flag of Gor Mahia to the next level. Chemistry is very key for me,” said Akonnor.

Akonnor, whose most recent role was as the technical director of Accra Athletic Football Club but previously held the head coach position of the Ghanaian national team, a role he held for 21 months until September 2021, also expects his troops to have the tactical capability of adjusting to different situations.

“I will also expect tactical awareness. I want them to have flexibility because not every game will be the same, and so we need to have that awareness of what we need to do at a point in time.

For example, this is Africa, you can go to a place where the field does not favour you, and so it means you have to change the style of play,” he added

The former Asante Kotoko head coach also revealed the third characteristic that he will be asking from his players.

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“Their fitness is also very important. You need to be fit to demonstrate what you have been doing in the past weeks and months on the field of play.”

To land the K'Ogalo role, Akonnor beat 147 other tacticians who expressed interest in coaching the 21-time league champions, with media reports naming former Gor Mahia tacticians Hassan Oktay and Frank Nuttall as some of the applicants.

Media reports from South Africa also revealed that former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Cavin Johnson applied for the position.

Akonnor expressed his delight in landing the job, revealing that his primary obligation would be to ensure the club recaptures its glory days.

“It is a privilege to be part of this big club with a rich history of what they have done in the past; a club that was formed and won the championship in the same year.

I want to be part of the legacy. I know it is a club that always wants to win. The past few years have not been as expected of them, and so first of all, my priority is to bring back that glory,” he remarked.

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However, the coach who, in his playing days, represented the Black Stars is aware that there is work to actualise his vision.

“To be able to win, there are things that we have to do to improve in order to get to the top level.”

Akonnor’s words were echoed by his assistant Kobi-Mensah Bismark - a Ghanaian coach part of his backroom staff.

“I came with the head coach for the reason that he is an achiever and that this is a big club.

The first thing we want to do is to build a cohesive team. A very strong team that can compete in domestic competitions and later in Africa,” said Bismark.

Apart from Bismark, Akonnor also came with his goalkeeper trainer, Owu Ben, who took over from former Kenya international Boniface Oluoch.

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Joining the three is the new team doctor, Brian Odongo, who crossed over from Nairobi City Stars following their relegation to the National Super League (NSL).

The new technical bench is expected to reclaim the FKF Premier League title from Kenya Police FC and take K'Ogalo back to continental championships.