Flooring bogey team Bomet was a turning point in title hunt, says Akonnor

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor termed their hard-fought 2-1 win against bogey team APS Bomet in their weekend FKF Premier League match a turning point in their campaign, as they aim to clinch their record-extending 22nd top-flight title.

The law enforcers defeated Gor Mahia 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Nyayo Stadium last year, making their win on Sunday a sweet atonement against a team that Akonnor says has 'no respect' for Gor. 

''We planned well for the match since we knew APS Bomet is a club that has no respect for us following their earlier big win against us.

“Our plan was to retaliate in a big way and ensure we redeem our image as a top club in the country," said Akonnor.

Their result on Sunday has got the seasoned tactician believing that they can go all the way this season despite stiff competition posed by their chasing pack.

''This is one of the biggest hurdles that was ahead of us, and having jumped over it, we are optimistic we are now unstoppable.''

The tactician, however, took issue with his compatriot Ebenezer Assifuah, whom he says fell short of his expectations on the match day, as he could not pull his weight for 90 minutes.

"It is fine; Ebenezer did what we wanted, that is, scoring a goal, but all in all, he lacked gas.

“The technical bench will do a little more to make him a ninety-minute player. He needs many more physical fitness assignments," added Akonnor. 

Gor are at the summit of the table with 43 points after 20 rounds, six ahead of second-placed AFC Leopards, who failed to capitalize on their game against Bandari last week, where they settled for a barren draw in Mombasa. 

Their next league assignment will be against 7th-placed KCB on February 22 before facing off with Posta Rangers two days later. 

The return of left back Geoffrey Ochieng 'Simiti,' who was re-signed in the mid-season window after being left out at the beginning of the season, will see stiff competition between the former vice-captain and the young star Bryton Onyona, who has in the recent past been a cog in the Gor left back.

The other left back, Mohammed Siraj, has since ditched Gor to join KCB following a lack of playing time.

Fresh from winning the FKF-PL coach of the month award, Akonnor should be under pressure to justify his award, having been awarded for handling six straight matches without a single defeat.