Gor Mahia issue statement on head coach Akonnor’s future amid critici…

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 23, 2026 – Gor Mahia secretary general Nikanor Arum has backed head coach Charles Akonnor amid mounting pressure over the team’s performance in recent times.

Arum says the Ghanaian should not be judged harshly for the unimpressive results, noting that a number of factors have worked against him. sports24.club

The SG defended Akonnor in the wake of K’Ogalo’s painful exit from the Caf Champions League in which they were thrashed 7-1 by Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the first preliminary round.

“We cannot blame the coach and judge him for our exit from the Champions League. He was not exposed to competitive matches before this campaign, and that is something we have to consider,” he said.

The club official further rallied the fanbase to support the former Ghana national team boss as he begins his second season at the helm of the team.

“Even in CECAFA, we cannot blame the coach. He was not subjected to competitive football before the tournament, but he still managed to take the team to the final. Let us give him time and see what will come out of it,” the SG said.

Akonnor succeeded Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno ahead of the 2025/26 season, after a trophyless 2024/25.

He led K’Ogalo to their 22^nd league crown amid occasional criticism over his game management.

Gor are yet to win a match since July since they beat Sudan’s Al Hilal in the semi-finals of the Cecafa Club Championships in Kigali.

Amid their regional campaign, Akonnor shot back at queries over his competence — in which he has been negatively referred to as a ‘plumber’ — pointing out that the criticism is the work of unnamed detractors keen on bringing them down.

Their latest defeat was a 3-2 loss to Tusker in a behind-closed-door friendly at the Nyayo Stadium, over the weekend.

Arrivé dans les dernières heures du mercato estival, Mohamed Amoura n’a pas attendu longtemps pour se faire remarquer sous les couleurs de l’OGC Nice. Après trois apparitions, dont deux titularisations, l’international algérien a déjà trouvé le chemin des filets et semble avoir rapidement gagné la confiance de son nouvel environnement.

The post France : L'OGC Nice déjà sous le charme de Amoura appeared first on Football Algérien - DZFOOT.COM.

The PSL transfer window is officially closed, and all teams made changes to their squads in preparation for the current campaign.

The South African takes a look at how Kaizer Chiefs fared in the recently closed transfer window which also saw them make changes to their technical team.

After finishing third on the log last season, Chiefs needed to bolster their squad in an attempt to build on that success.

It is a success given that it was their highest finish at the end of a PSL season in six years – Amakhosi’s best finish was in 2020 when they were runners-up.

Fernando da Cruz was brought back to lead Chiefs as head coach, and he came with his assistant Mahmoud Abbas, goalkeeper coach Olivier Sorin and head of sports science and physical performance Julien le Heran.

It is also worth noting that Dillan Sheppard was roped in as Da Cruz’s second assistant after spending some time in the development.

Now, let’s take a look at who Chiefs signed and released either on loan or permanently…

Also read: Sundowns get last-minute transfer deal over the line

KAIZER CHIEFS TRANSFER NEWS: ALL THE PLAYER MOVEMENTS

IN: Thabo Moloisane, Renaldo Leaner, Adolf Bitegeko Mtasingwa, Khanyisa Mayo, Langelihle Phili and Faiz Abrahams.

OUT: Thabo Cele, Gastón Sirino, Aden McCarthy,
Glody Makabi Lilepo, George Matlou, Happy Mashiane, Given Msimango, Gopolang Taunyane, Ashley du Preez and Tashreeq Morris.

LOAN MOVES: Siyabonga Gumede (Richards Bay FC), Fiacre Ntwari (Kruger United), Xolani Cossa and Sfiso Timba (both to Gomora FC), Ofentse Kgosana and Vicky Mkhawana (both to Real Natives), Pheko Phago, Samkelo Zwane, Bontle Molefe and Naledi Hlongwane (all to Hope FC).

Also read: Pitso Mosimane announces new Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach

HOW DO YOU RATE AMAKHOSI’S TRANSFER DEALINGS?

Let us know in the comment section below…

Enzo Le Fée poursuit l’aventure à Sunderland. Dans un communiqué publié ce mercredi 23 septembre, le club anglais a officialisé la prolongation de contrat de son milieu de terrain jusqu’en 2031.

Arrivé en janvier 2025 en provenance de l’AS Roma pour 23 millions d’euros, Enzo Le Fée s’est rapidement imposé comme un élément important de l’effectif. Le Français a su gagner la confiance de son entraîneur et s’inscrire durablement dans le projet du club.

Le Fée, un élément devenu incontournable

Depuis son arrivée, le milieu de terrain affiche des statistiques solides avec Sunderland : 64 rencontres disputées, 9 buts et 10 passes décisives. Des performances qui ont convaincu la direction de lui offrir un nouveau contrat sur le long terme.

Le principal intéressé s’est dit particulièrement heureux de poursuivre son aventure avec les Black Cats : « Je suis vraiment heureux d’avoir signé un nouveau contrat avec Sunderland. Dès mon arrivée, j’ai ressenti la passion des supporters et l’ambition de tout le monde au club. J’ai adoré mon temps ici. »

Surtout, le joueur est très content de tout ce qui a été réalisé jusqu’ici : « Nous avons accompli quelque chose de spécial ensemble au cours des deux dernières saisons, mais je crois que ce n’est que le début. Je me sens très installé ici et je suis ravi de continuer à me développer, de concourir au plus haut niveau et d’aider le club à aller de l’avant. Je suis très fier de porter le maillot de Sunderland et j’ai hâte de voir ce que nous pouvons réaliser ensemble dans les années à venir. »

Florent Ghisolfi : « Enzo est un joueur très important pour nous »

Florent Ghisolfi, directeur de Sunderland, s’est également réjoui de cette prolongation. Il a notamment souligné l’importance du Français au sein du groupe, aussi bien sur le terrain qu’en dehors :

« Enzo est un joueur très important pour nous, mais aussi une personne importante au sein de notre groupe. Il a de la qualité, de l’intelligence et de la personnalité, mais ce que nous apprécions tout autant, c’est son humilité et la façon dont il représente Sunderland tous les jours. »

Cette prolongation jusqu’en 2031 confirme donc la place importante prise par Enzo Le Fée à Sunderland. Après avoir convaincu depuis son arrivée, le Français s’inscrit désormais dans la durée avec les Black Cats, avec l’ambition de continuer à progresser et à contribuer aux futurs succès du club.

The post Sunderland : Enzo Le Fée prolonge jusqu’en 2031 appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Former Edinburgh assistant coach Scott Matthie says it has been a “really cool experience” deciding what strategies to pass on to the Sharks and what to leave out.

The Durban-born former Sharks scrumhalf left his successful Griquas coaching role in 2021 to spend three years as head coach of the New England Free Jacks, winning the United States’ MLR coach of the year in 2024, before joining Edinburgh for two seasons.

While the Scottish side reached the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals in 2024/25, they finished 12th last season, and Mathie returned to the club of his youth.

Phase play and 22m entries

Mathie said his return to South Africa and the Sharks after a long time away had brought him “a lot of joy and enthusiasm”. The club ensured his transition was seamless.

But not everything he knew could or should be applied to the Sharks.

“It was interesting being part of Edinburgh and a Northern Hemisphere team. You get exposed to a completely different type of playing style,” he said ahead of the Sharks’ season opener against Ospreys at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.

“It has evolved around the type of players you have. There is a lot of system stuff that gets driven in the Northern Hemisphere around phase play.

“There are elements of that that I would say I’ve brought through. But the biggest thing is that anything that I have brought through is a servant to how we play the game at the Sharks.”

Northern Hemisphere sides put much analysis into intricacies around 22m entries and converting those into points.

“It’s something they spend a lot of time on,” Mathie explained. “It’s been a really cool experience figuring out what to take and add and what to keep.”

An ‘honour’ to coach young Sharks stars

Mathie said his goal was to ensure the Sharks were moving well and “connected to the ball and to space”.

“If we are working really hard and moving well around the field, then we can connect ourselves to where the space is. I think that’s the essence of attack, really.”

Young backline stars such as Jaco Williams, Zekhethelo Siyaya and Luan Giliomee (the latter set to join the Bulls shortly) showed “exceptional ability”.

“When you look around training and see the explosiveness and speed that we’ve got in the backs in particular, with the youngsters, it’s a real honour to be in charge helping them reach that.

“It’s our job to be the custodians of their growth and help them achieve their potential.”