The victory was significant for K’Ogalo, coming at a time when their sworn rivals AFC Leopards have rediscovered their form in the top flight and are breathing down their neck in the title race.
On Saturday, AFC Leopards defeated Posta Rangers 2-1 to cut Gor Mahia’s lead at the summit to three points. However, on Sunday, Gor Mahia responded with an emphatic win against the Bankers to reclaim their six-point lead.
Gor Mahia are now leading the log with 46 points amassed from 14 wins, four draws, and three defeats, while AFC Leopards, who have played a match less, are lying second with 40 points garnered from 11 wins, seven draws, and two defeats.
Speaking after the KCB game, Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor admitted the record Kenyan champions were feeling the pressure from AFC Leopards.
The Ghanaian legend further predicted a team that will possess strong nerves and desire to go all the way will be crowned champions at the end of the season.
Gor Mahia aware it will not be easy
“Of course, in football there is always pressure, and we like it, it is a healthy one,” Akonnor told Flashscore. “We will have to continue our way; we need to be focused at every game that we play. We know it is not going to be easy.”
Akonnor added: “The team that will have the nerves to keep going is the team that will probably go far.”
Asked whether Gor Mahia has the required nerves to go all the way, he responded: “Of course, we do, I mean we saw them (AFC Leopards) play on Saturday, and of course, there was pressure for us to win our next game.
“I think the boys in every aspect of everything we are doing well, they have really possessed things very well, they are very confident, and we are happy about it.”
He added: “If you look at it some four, five months ago, we would be a little bit worried but now, we are very confident of how the players possess things, and how they do, and how they play.
“The understanding is also there, so we are very happy at this moment.”
Discussing the victory against KCB, Akonnor opened up: “We did it in a very good manner, the players were very excited with the way we scored the goals in the first half.
“We were a little bit aggressive, we knew it was going to be tough, especially when it also rained; it was not like we were in control of the game. We decided to be aggressive in the style of play, and we didn’t want to give them a chance, and we did it very well.
“The manner in which we played, how we constructed passes to wider areas, was very wonderful. Very exciting, that is why I was very excited, I could say over-excited. Very happy the way the boys approached everything.”
Gor Mahia’s next five matches will see them take on Posta Rangers, Ulinzi Stars, Shabana, Tusker FC, and Kariobangi Sharks. For AFC Leopards, they will come up against KCB, Mathare United, Tusker, Kariobangi Sharks, and Murang’a Seal.
Tusker coach suffers defeat on debut
Tusker’s new coach Jullien Mette tasted defeat on his first match in charge after the Brewers suffered a 1-0 away defeat against Shabana at Gusii Stadium.
The French tactician was appointed the Tusker coach to replace Charles Okere, who has been shown the exit door owing to a poor run of results. Mette took charge and was given Kenyan assistant coach Anthony Kimani to work under him.
Speaking after the defeat, which was Tusker’s ninth of the season, Mette urged for patience while promising to stabilise the sinking ship.
“People should not expect us to win 5-0 or something and make a complete change from the results of the previous games. I have given myself five games to completely change the outlook of the team, and so we will go step by step,” said Mette.
“But for the game, we have to try and implement the small things we have done in training this week, and I have told them (players) they have to win. This is a competition.”
He added: “To improve players' mentality, you need time because mental strength is the hardest thing to train and improve. But after just one week of work, I am really positively surprised by the guys.”
The defeat saw Tusker drop to tenth with 28 points from 21 matches. They managed eight wins, four draws, and nine defeats.
Tusker’s next five league matches will see them face Murang’a Seal, Kakamega Homeboyz, AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, and defending champions Kenya Police FC.
