Gor Mahia boss Charles Akonnor pulled no punches after his side returned to winning ways against Kakamega Homeboyz, revealing that Ghanaian midfielder Enock Morrison was substituted because he simply failed to impose himself on the game.
Midfield misfires forced a tactical rethink
Akonnor said Morrison struggled to control the tempo, repeatedly losing possession and playing risky passes that disrupted Gor Mahia’s rhythm. Despite on-field instructions and tactical nudges, the midfielder could not find his usual influence, prompting the coach to reshuffle the engine room at halftime.
“It wasn’t a good day for him from the beginning,” Akonnor admitted, explaining the decision to bring on Fidel and tighten the midfield. The change, he added, restored defensive balance and steadied the team, allowing others to contribute and the side to grind out the result.
Not a verdict on ability but a call for improvement
The coach was careful to frame the substitution as a tactical necessity rather than a condemnation of Morrison’s talent. Akonnor praised the player’s potential and reminded supporters that Morrison is normally pivotal in both defensive transitions and creative passing. Still, he stressed that decision-making and consistency must improve if Morrison is to fulfil that role regularly.
“It’s all about his game… he is one of the guys who are very instrumental, defensive and attacking, and he is the one who makes most of the important passes,” Akonnor said. “Today wasn’t a good day for him, and I was telling him exactly what’s going on, what he has to do, but we decided to remove him in the second half.”
Lessons learned and eyes on the next match
Akonnor insisted the priority was the result, not individual narratives. He welcomed the way the replacement midfielders compacted the team and helped secure the victory, and he signalled that the tactical lessons from the match will be applied in upcoming fixtures to keep the squad cohesive and competitive.
For now, Gor Mahia move on with three points and a clearer idea of how Akonnor plans to manage form, fitness and tactical balance as the season unfolds.
