Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has brushed off growing criticism surrounding his tenure, insisting personal attacks will not distract him from his mission of restoring the club to the top.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Ghanaian international spoke after K'Ogalo booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup.##NAJAVA_MECA_9871704##The Kenyan giants topped Group A ahead of APR and Vipers despite suffering a narrow defeat to the Ugandan champions in their second group match.The ex-Wolfsburg midfielder admitted criticism comes with football. However, he said some detractors have crossed the line by turning to personal insults instead of analyzing the team's performances."Just that when things go the wrong way, the same negative people always come and talk about it. They always set up some groups of people to bash me," he said.The 2000 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) runner-up revealed he had been told about social media posts referring to him as a "plumber," comments he laughed off as unfounded."The other day somebody was telling me, 'I don't read it; I'm a plumber.'" I mean, come on. It's something I'm used to. It doesn't move me. I'm not afraid."Tusker coach Julien Mette explains winless CECAFA Kagame Cup campaignThe former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko coach said decades in football have taught him how to handle criticism without losing focus."I am somebody who has worked, like I said, all my life in football. You cannot intimidate me by such words. It doesn't work that way. Because I know myself. You yourself, as you know, you know I'm not a plumber. I mean, so it's a big lie, isn't it? So I don't really focus on those things."Rather than dwell on online criticism, the two-time Ghana Premier League-winning coach said all his attention is on improving Gor Mahia ahead of the new season."When certain things happen, my focus is what is next. What can I do to improve the team? What can I do to make this thing better? And that is it."10-man Gor Mahia secure CECAFA Kagame Cup semis after edging Djiboutian championsThe 52-year-old also reserved special praise for Gor Mahia supporters who travelled to Rwanda to back the team throughout the regional tournament. He said their sacrifices carry far more weight than opinions shared on social media."They can say whatever they want to say. I will continue to do my job. This is in the interest of the K'Ogalo family. People travel all the way by bus to this place, and that is what I care for. As they go back, they are happy that even though the game was not good, they are happy we've won. That is my interest."The former Ghana captain believes supporters deserve to be rewarded for the effort they make to follow the club across the region."Once you can make people happy, because they also sacrifice. I don't know how much they pay to get here, but that is very, very important for me."##NAJAVA_MECA_9871419##Reaching the last four, he added, was particularly satisfying because it spared the travelling Green Army the disappointment of an early exit."Imagine we've lost this match and they're going back. It would be terrible. And this is my concern. It's not somebody telling me I am this or I am that. The person must seek the interest of the club, and that is why I'm here. It's all about the interest of the club and how this club can go."Charles Akonnor launches tirade on individuals plotting his Gor Mahia exitThe former Ghana boss believes Gor Mahia are building momentum after an encouraging pre-season campaign that has seen several new signings settle quickly and the team reach the CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals."Everybody can say we are on a positive route. We are getting to a place where everything is possible once we do everything right. If I follow them, I am the head. I can lose my track, and things like that don't move me."
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