Gor Mahia head coach explains tactical switch that troubled Kenya Police

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor says his side got everything right during their dominant 2-0 win over Kenya Police FC on Sunday, 10 November.

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The Ghanaian head coach, speaking after one of K’Ogalo’s finest displays this season, felt at no point did the record league champions look like losing, thanks to the execution of a plan they had coming into the game.

Normally, a team that employs a 4-3-3 formation, Gor Mahia came out at Nyayo Stadium with a 3-5-2 set-up, a tactic that earned them a quick goal on their way to a comfortable 2-0 victory.

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“Today was special because we saw the opponent play, and we went with the changed formation in order to put pressure on them,” Akonnor said, referring to the tactical switch. “We did that and it worked in the first half.”

It was Gor Mahia’s press that bore the game’s opener, as Kenya Police FC midfielder Tobias Otieno found himself in no-man’s land, giving away possession to allow Felix Oluoch to score the opener after only 110 seconds.

The second goal, scored by Musa Shariff at the half-hour mark, came after centre back Sylvester Owino took advantage of a napping Police defense.

“We knew the weakness of the other team [Police], so we strategised a way to play them,” Akonnor said of the first half performance.

“Luckily for us, we got early goals and did very well, we were tactically disciplined, and we played as instructed. It was very good for us.”

Having been two goals to the good, Gor Mahia managed the game in the second half, almost taking their foot off the gas pedal.

Akonnor said that the decision came as a result of a tactical switch by Police coach Dusan Stojanovic, who introduced Clinton Kinanga and David Okoth, the latter being enforced due to an injury to Edward Omondi.

“After the first half, we were already leading, and there was not too much pressure on us to score; we needed to be calm and keep the ball,” he said.

“Police were coming in with long aerial balls because of the two guys they brought in, and it distracted us a bit. After a few minutes, my players got used to it and protected the lead.”

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The result saw Gor Mahia go top of the FKF Premier League standings with 16 points after only seven games.