CECAFA Kagame Cup: Gor Mahia defender Siraj Mohammed earns praise from coach Akonnor
By Luke Oluoch, July 26, 2026Gor Mahia defender Siraj Mohammed has earned praise from his head coach following his impressive display against APR in the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Despite not scoring, the left-back provided solid cover at the back and vital width going forward, aiding Gor’s five-star performance in the encounter.
His resurgence comes after a slow start to life at Gor Mahia and the struggles that followed.
Siraj, previously a mainstay at Bandari, found the going tough at Gor Mahia and was forced to contend with a loan move to KCB to gain playing time and further experience. He has since returned after a year, and the coach has been impressed with his early signs of progress.
Akonnor revealed that the defender could be in line for more playing time at the club if he maintains the brilliant form shown in the regional games.
Progress
“I think he did very well… We had a lot to talk about with him and also to encourage him. He has a rough idea of what we expect of him,” said Akonnor.
“Siraj is in a very good position to play and get his chance. To be fair, we are all here, and all these guys have to perform. They should be given a fair chance to play, and we expect that every player will be useful to the team,” he added.
The coach also explained the decision to send the left-back out on loan.
Akonnor promises fair chance
“He was not a bad player, but back then, we demanded a specific approach from him as a fullback, which he adapted to slowly. He has been away, and the move had nothing to do with his performance.”
Siraj, who was also part of the Kenya squad in the 2024 Africa Championship (CHAN) games held in Kenya, is among the club’s fringe players who will be boosted by the coach’s intention to extend a fair chance to all the players ahead of the demands of the new season.
A number of the club’s fresh signings and returning players are hoping to make a case to be incorporated in the team’s core ahead of the new campaign, where Gor will compete both domestically and internationally.
Beyond the league fixtures and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup, the CAF Champions League will also be on K’Ogalo’s roster for the year, underscoring the need for greater squad depth and experience across all departments.