Gor Mahia coach acknowledges AFC Leopards’ pressure in the title charge
Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor has acknowledged that they face a formidable task in shrugging off pressure from rivals AFC Leopards as the race for the 2026 Football Kenya Federation Premier League gets intense.
Speaking after Saturday, January 31, 2026, win over Sofapaka, Akonnor lauded the momentum gained by his side, terming it as key to their title-chasing run as the league run-up gathers heat.
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K’Ogalo dispatched Ezekiel Akwana’s side in an emphatic fashion with three unanswered first-half goals from centre-back pairing Sylvester Owino and Franks Odhiambo sparking the rout.
Not over
Ghanaian Ebenezer Adukwaw also got in on the scoring act with a successfully converted penalty just before the half-hour mark.
The results mean a lot, but we still have to keep pushing. The race is not over until it is over. We still have AFC Leopards, who are trying their best to push. What is important is we are focused and keen to maintain our position in the table. Eventually, we will see what happens at the end of it,” he explained.,” he explained.
Reacting to the team’s display en route to the emphatic victory, Akonnor noted that his charges were a composed side and fittingly got the result.
“We were tactically sound and played with composure. We have to be ambitious. We scored three in the first half, and we have to be proud of the boys. We did create chances in the second half, but did not score. Assifuah was a menace all around after coming on, and it is unfortunate he did come out for a goal,” he added.
Odhiambo’s opener
Odhiambo, a January acquisition from Sweden, needed only a few minutes in his first start to mark his return to the Green Army fold with a goal.
The defender rose highest to power home a towering header from a superb Enock Morrison throw-in to storm Gor in front.
Proceedings went from good to better 25 minutes in this time, courtesy of another centre back, Sylvester Owino, who planted a well-placed header beyond Brian Olang at the Sofapaka goal.
Akonnor’s sentiments were also echoed by midfielder Enock Morisson, who stated that the team came prepared to deal with their opponents’ strengths.
“The win is important. Sofapaka are a good side with the ball, and we moved the ball quicker when we had it and utilised our chances. We knew they would come to play the ball, and the coaches instructed us on how we would deal with such a threat,” he stated.
Bandi makes Gor debut
The tie also marked another milestone after the club’s summer signing, and Lewis Bandi also made his long-awaited debut for the green army.
Bandi, who crossed over from arch rivals AFC Leopards in September 2025, finally made his bow, coming on for Paul Ochuoga in a seven-minute cameo.
The victory eventually assured Gor Mahia’s recent league run stays intact, with Gor now moving four points atop the league standings.
Gor are now ranked at the top of the league with 40 points, solidifying their spot at the top of the Kenya Premier League, with four points better than AFC Leopards, who missed Week 19 action.
