Gor Mahia may have fallen to Simba SC in a spirited contest, but head coach Charles Akonnor insists the loss has given his team a clearer sense of where they stand before the new season.
The Kenyan champions were beaten 2-0 on Wednesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium during Simba Day celebrations, a fixture that drew thousands of fans in Dar es Salaam. Mohammed Hamza opened the scoring with a header in the sixth minute, before Steven Mukwala sealed the result early in the second half.
For Akonnor, who took charge of Gor earlier this year, the defeat carried important lessons. “The match gave us a fair idea of our players, which is good,” he said after the final whistle. “We’ve had a series of friendlies, but not as competitive as the match against Simba. We’re happy to note the areas we must improve.”
He admitted that defensive lapses cost his side both goals. “We just lacked a little bit of understanding on how we should have defended,” he said. “But I’m happy with the overall display.”
Simba, who have been a regular force in continental football, dominated the first half, forcing Gor Mahia to adjust their approach. “We struggled in the first half because of their mobility and our press did not work,” Akonnor noted. “They are a very solid team. They did well in the CAF Confederation Cup, and I wish them the best.”
Gor Mahia entered the match without key midfielders Alpha Onyango and Lewis Bandi, both returning from national duty just a day earlier. Defenders Sylvester Owino and Michael Kibwage, also fresh from representing Kenya, were included but looked weary against a sharp Simba attack.
Austin Odhiambo came closest to pulling one back for Gor, twice finding himself in promising positions but failing to convert. In the end, Simba contained the Kenyan side and secured a confident win in front of their home crowd.
Despite the setback, Gor Mahia — winners of a record 20 Kenyan league titles — will take confidence from the test. With the new FKF Premier League season kicking off on September 21 against Bidco United, Akonnor is determined to turn the lessons of Dar into momentum for a title push.
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