Bidco United’s Akhulia reveals the master plan that stunned Gor Mahia
By Joel Masibo, September 22, 2025Bidco United head coach Antony Akhulia has revealed that playing behind the ball and launching counter-attacks played a key role in beating Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia in their season opener on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Kasarani Stadium.
Substitute Newton Ochieng scored the only goal for Bidco in the 88th minute from a penalty kick, as Gor Mahia started their new Kenyan Premier League campaign on a losing note at home.
In his post-match remarks, Akhulia noted that Bidco United knew Gor Mahia’s strength was in stringing the passes together, hence they tried to disrupt their game plan by sitting back and launching surprise attacks against K’Ogalo.
”The first game of the season is always a difficult one because most teams are not well organised, but Gor Mahia were the better side, they created many chances. We knew that would happen because they were playing at home. We expected the game that they played,” Akhulia noted.
”Ours was to sit back and try to attack on the counter, that is why we introduced speedy wingers, and at the end it has paid off, we got a penalty from that. Any day you play a big team, players motivate themselves, I saw the fixture and I was happy,” he added.
The new-looking Bidco United comprised players with little experience playing in the top-tier league after parting ways with over 15 players last season when the team survived relegation by a whisker. Howe, Antony Akhulia hailed his new recruits after slaying the league giants in their backyard.
”We parted ways with 15 players, this is a new team and if they play the way they did, it will be good. I am happy with my new signings; they have all played well. Most of the new guys we got from Division Two, and I am really impressed with their performance,” Akhulia stated.
Bidco stretch good record against K’Ogalo
Bidco United managed their second win against K’Ogalo in their last 11 meetings. In the previous 10 matches between the two sides since March 2021, Gor Mahia had won five times while the remaining four ended in stalemates. Last season, Bidco United managed to collect four points from Gor Mahia out of the possible six in the league.
K’Ogalo’s best chance came in the 65th when captain Austin Odhiambo got the ball in the box but was cleverly dispossessed, leaving head coach Charles Akonnor decrying missed chances.