Akonnor blasts Gor Mahia players after ‘schoolboy’ errors against Pyramids FC

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has launched a scathing attack on his players after their 5-1 defeat to Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League, blaming individual mistakes for four of the five goals conceded.

The Kenyan champions crashed out 7-1 on aggregate following another disappointing night at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, with Akonnor making no attempt to hide his frustration.

Speaking after the match, a furious Akonnor pulled no punches as he dissected his team's defensive collapse.

“To be honest, I am really upset with the individual errors that we have made. We gave them four goals as a result of individual mistakes and at this level, you don't do such mistakes. It's unacceptable, even at the time we were really pushing,” said Akonnor.

The Ghanaian coach was particularly critical of the experienced members of his squad, questioning how senior players could make such basic errors on the continental stage.

“I am really upset with some of the guys you even rely on as team players… senior players who are national players. You don't expect them to do such mistakes and it's really bad. It's not acceptable,” he said.

Pyramids capitalized ruthlessly on Gor Mahia's lapses, with the second goal coming in the 38th minute after a defensive error before another mistake allowed the hosts to extend their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Gor Mahia improved after the break and enjoyed spells of pressure, but another costly error handed Pyramids a further goal as the Egyptians pulled further away.

“Look at the mistakes, Kibwage, Frank and the goalkeeper. These are big errors that you believe big players at a different level should know these things,” he said.

“I am really upset and I am not the type of person who talks about players but today it was clear for everybody to see,” he added.

The defeat ended Gor Mahia's Champions League campaign, leaving the club to shift its attention to domestic competition.

For Akonnor, the immediate task will be to rebuild confidence within the squad while addressing the costly individual errors that proved decisive against Pyramids.