CK Akunnor loses first competitive match in Kenya

CK Akunnor’s reign as head coach of Kenyan giants Gor Mahia began on a disappointing note as his side fell 1-0 to Bidco United in the Kenyan Premier League on Sunday.

The match, played before the home fans in Nairobi, looked destined for a draw until a late penalty from Newton Ochieng sealed the defeat for Gor Mahia. The result marked Akunnor’s first competitive outing since taking charge of the club and left supporters frustrated after high expectations of a winning start.

Speaking after the match, the former Ghana coach admitted that while the team showed promising signs, their failure to convert scoring opportunities proved costly. “The general assessment was positive, how we controlled the game,” Akunnor said. “What we lack is the opportunity to score goals. We created chances but we need that moment of magic where we’ll put the ball in the net.”

He emphasized that composure and precision in the final third will be key for Gor Mahia as the season progresses. “We need to be calmer up front and take our opportunities. The performance was encouraging, but we must score goals to get the results we want,” he added.

The narrow defeat piles early pressure on Akunnor, who was appointed to guide the Kenyan champions to domestic and continental success. Gor Mahia, regarded as one of East Africa’s most successful clubs, will now look to bounce back quickly in their next league fixture to restore confidence among their fans.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has allocated GHC1 million to each of the 18 Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs.

He said it forms part of a renewed push to support domestic football and strengthen sports development across the country.

Speaking at the Jubilee House on Saturday, September 21, when Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars paid a courtesy call ahead of their CAF inter-club campaigns, President Mahama said the GHC1 million support for all 18 Premier League clubs reflects the government’s commitment to building a sustainable funding model for Ghanaian football.

He explained that the initiative was made possible through strict fiscal discipline and efforts to reduce unnecessary expenditure. According to the President, cutting down the size of government and avoiding waste of national resources has freed up more resources for investment in key areas such as sports. “With the savings we are making in terms of expenditure, we have been able to provide each club with a token to start the league. It’s a beginning, and I believe the fund will grow,” Mahama said.