Charles Akonnor calls for possession as Gor Mahia entertains Sofapaka
By Joel Masibo, January 31, 2026Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has called for the ball possession system of play when the record Kenyan Premier League champions meet relegation-threatened Sofapaka in a crucial league fixture on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Nyayo Stadium.
K’Ogalo will face Batoto Ba Mungu in a bid to stretch their lead at the summit of the league standings, as rivals AFC Leopards come hotter on their heels in second position with a point shy of the Charles Akonnor’s men, who have 37 points.
Speaking ahead of the Saturday action, Akonnor has revealed that he expects his men to deny their opponents the ball as they aim to grab maximum points at Nyayo Stadium.
In the reverse fixture played on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Gor Mahia walked away with an easy 2-0 win against Sofapaka at the Dandora Stadium, a venue that Akonnor says denied his team a chance to execute his game plan.
Akonnor’s tactical plan
”The other day when we played them was on a difficult pitch, this time around we want to have the ball, we want to possess the ball. In that area, we are doing very well, movement with and without the ball, and of course, the idea of creating chances. I think we have the men to do it, and I think we will try as much as possible to play well,” Akonnor said.
Speaking on the same fixture, Gor Mahia custodian Gad Mathews has revealed that everyone is psyched up and looking forward towards the match. Mathews also added that Gor Mahia is approaching every fixture with the final mentality.
”The preparation has been good, as far as I can say. Everyone is all psyched up and prepared since we faced Sofapaka in the first leg, and we saw the outcome. This is the second leg, maybe they are also prepared well. But as of now, we are facing every game as a final; we have no excuse to drop points,” Mathews said.
A win for Gor Mahia will strengthen their position at the summit of the table, while victory for Ezekiel Akwana’s charges will revive their survival ambitions in a league that has proved difficult for them.