Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has been crowned the SportPesa League Coach of the Month for January 2026, making him the first manager to win the award twice in the 2025/26 season.
Akonnor previously claimed the inaugural crown in October 2025 and now adds a second accolade after an impressive January run that has kept Gor Mahia at the top of the league table.
The award, which recognizes outstanding tactical masterclass and team performance, comes with a customized SportPesa League Coach of the Month trophy and a cash prize of KSh 75,000 from leading gaming firm SportPesa.
Akonnor fended stiff competition from three other nominees including AFC Leopards boss Fred Ambani, Bandari FC coach Bernard Mwalala and Murang’a SEAL head coach Osborne Monday who all earned their nomination through exceptional performances in January.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor named SportPesa League coach of the month for October 2025
Akonnor’s Gor Mahia played six matches in January, winning five and drawing once. The team recorded a 4–1 win over Kariobangi Sharks, a 0–0 draw against Shabana FC, a 3–2 comeback against Murang’a SEAL after going two goals down, a 3–0 victory over Mara Sugar, a 2–1 win against Bidco United and capped the month with a 3–0 win over Sofapaka.
Gor Mahia scored 15 goals, conceded four, and kept three clean sheets, maintaining their position at the summit with 40 points, four ahead of second-placed AFC Leopards.
Ambani guided AFC Leopards through five matches, winning four and losing just once. Ingwe’s only defeat was a narrow 1–0 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz at the start of the month.
Ambani’s side rebounded strongly with victories over Nairobi United (2–0), Tusker FC (4–0), APS Bomet (2–1), and Sofapaka (1–0), ending the month with an 80% win rate, nine goals scored and three clean sheets. Ambani had previously won the December Coach of the Month award.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia’s Paul Ochuoga crowned January 2026 SportPesa League Player of the Month
Murang’a SEAL’s Monday has been transformative since taking over a team near the relegation zone.
In four matches, Monday led his team to three wins, including dominant victories over Mathare United (2–0) and Bidco United (2–1) and suffered just one loss to Gor Mahia (3–2).
His side scored eight goals, conceded four and kept two clean sheets, lifting Murang’a SEAL to fourth place with 30 points.
Mwalala, appointed to take over at Bandari early in January, oversaw four matches, picking up 10 points (3W 1D). He started with a 2–1 home win over Kakamega Homeboyz, followed by a win against Tusker FC, a goalless draw against Kariobangi Sharks and a 1–0 victory over Kenya Police FC.
Bandari scored five goals, conceded two, kept two clean sheets, a run that saw the Dockers sit ninth on the league table with 27 points.
The fierce competition between Akonnor and Ambani underscores the thrilling 2025/26 SportPesa League title race as both coaches continue to demonstrate why they are among the top tacticians in the SportPesa League this season.
Coach of the Month Award Winners Season 2025/26
October 2025: Charles Akonnor (Gor Mahia)
November 2025: Peter Okidi (Shabana FC)
December 2025: Fred Ambani (AFC Leopards)
January 2026: Charles Akonnor (Gor Mahia)