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- Gor Mahia FC is ready for the 2025-26 season following the appointment of Ghanaian national, Charles Akonnor as its head coach
- The club unveiled the seasoned Ghanaian tactician on Friday
- Akonnor, 51, signed a two-year deal with K’Ogalo
Gor Mahia FC is ready for the 2025-26 season following the appointment of Ghanaian national, Charles Akonnor as its head coach.
The club unveiled the seasoned Ghanaian tactician on Friday, August 1, following the dismissal of its former coach, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno.
Otieno was sacked alongside his two assistant coaches and the entire technical bench after a disappointing 2024/25 season.
Akonnor, 51, signed a two-year deal with K’Ogalo. He brings with him a wealth of international experience having been a footballer and a coach.
Nevertheless, who is the Ghanaian taking charge of K’Ogalo this season?
Who is Charles Akonnor?
Charles Akonnor isn’t a new name in the African football circles. He is a big name in West Africa, where most of his football operations have been.
Born on March 13, 1974, in Nungua, Accra, Akonnor started his football journey at Young Hearts of Tema in the mid-1980s.
He showed lots of interest in football, which helped him progress through Okwawu United and later Ashanti Gold SC.
The latter was previously known as Obuasi Goldfields. His performances in Ghana earned him a move to Germany in 1992, signing with Bundesliga 2 outfit Fortuna Köln.
Gor Mahia FC is ready for the 2025-26 season following the appointment of Ghanaian national, Charles Akonnor as its head coach. Photo/Gor Mahia
He spent six successful seasons with Fortuna, scoring 26 goals in 153 appearances and gaining a reputation as a reliable midfield presence.
His next move was a major leap in his career as he joined Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg in 1998. He spent five years at the club, scored 13 goals in 121 matches.
The newly appointed Gor Mahia coach made history in 2001 when he was named VfL Wolfsburg’s captain. He became one of the first Africans to lead a Bundesliga team.
After Wolfsburg, Charles Akonnor played for SpVgg Unterhaching, Danish club AC Horsens, and Cypriot side Alki Larnaca before retiring in Germany at SC Langenhagen in 2009.
Did Akonnor Play for Ghana?
On the international front, Akonnor was a crucial player in Ghana’s golden generation. He featured for the U-20 national team at the 1991 African Youth Championship and the 1993 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Ghana finished second behind Brazil in his U-20 World Cup. He then led the U-23 Black Meteors to the 1996 Olympics quarter-finals.
His senior national team career included 51 caps and 13 goals. He played in four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and captained the Black Stars from 1998, succeeding the legendary Abedi Pele.
That same year, Akonnor was named in the CAF African XI and the AFCON Team of the Tournament, making him a big name in Ghana’s football history.
When Did Akonnor Become a Football Coach?
Gor Mahia named Ghanaian national Charles Akannor the team’s new head coach. Photo/Gor Mahia FC
Charles Akonnor started his football coaching career with Ghanaian club Sekondi Eleven Wise in 2009 before taking on technical roles at Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC.
At Dreams, he guided the club to Ghana Premier League promotion in 2017. His breakthrough came with Ashanti Gold, where he finished second in the league.
He then went on to lead Asante Kotoko to CAF Champions League group stage qualification and a domestic league title.
In 2019, the K’Ogali coach was appointed assistant coach of the Ghana national team. He was promoted to head coach in 2020, where he led the Black Stars to qualify for AFCON 2021 and contributed to their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign.
His national team record stood at four wins, four draws, and two losses.
After his stint with Ghana, Akonnor coached Accra Athletic FC and worked as a CAF technical consultant, focusing on youth development.
