Akonnor Aims for Stylish Domination as Gor Mahia Embrace Tiki-Taka Philosophy

Sports Updated: 01 September 2025 15:56 EAT

Gor Mahia's newly appointed head coach, Charles Akonnor, is looking to revolutionize the club's playing style with a modern, possession-based approach inspired by tiki-taka.

Speaking ahead of preseason preparations, the Ghanaian tactician emphasized that while winning remains paramount, he also wants his team to win "in a convincing way"—marked by neat passing, fluid movement, and clarity in execution.

“I understand that they want to win…that is the style of Gor Mahia. We also want to win…we need to come to terms where we understand each other very well. Sometimes you win ugly because of the style of the opponent…you wouldn’t get it as you want it. But, we want to win in a convincing way where we play well and do everything necessary in a game to win,” the former Asante Kotoko head coach said.

Akonnor, who took charge just over a month ago, is stepping into a club undergoing a rebuild. Last season saw Gor relinquish the league title to Kenya Police FC and fall short in the FKF Cup final, a 2–1 loss to Nairobi United.

Drawing from his experience with Asante Kotoko and Ghana’s Black Stars, Akonnor feels a natural affinity with Kenyan players and culture, noting that "we are similar… Africans are similar"—a connection he believes will ease his squad’s adaptation to his system.

“We are brothers (Kenyans and Ghanaians), and their way of doing things is not too dissimilar from the way we do it in Ghana. Of course, each one of us has their own way of doing things. We are similar…Africans are similar,” he said.

Gor Mahiacontinued their preseason preparations with a strong 4–1 win over Murang’a Seal. Next up is a high-profile friendly against Tanzania’s Simba SC scheduled for September 10 in Dar es Salaam.