Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have appointed Brazilian tactician Leonard Martins Neiva, popularly known as Leo Neiva as their new head coach taking over from the successful Johnathan McKinstry.
Neiva, a former coach at Tanzania’s Yanga where he won both the 2014/15 league title and the Super Cup (the Community Shield), was officially presented by club chairman Ambrose Rachier on Monday 1 July 2024 and is expected to hit the ground running immediately.
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The Brazilian, who joins K’Ogalo from Ugandan outfit Vipers, will be entrusted with leading K’Ogalo back to the 24/25 CAF Champions League where the team is returning to continental football for the first time since 2021 after lifting a record-extending 21st title.
Neiva will be deputized by former Gor Mahia head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno who makes a return to the club he once played for before transitioning into coaching.
Michael Nam, who was McKinstry’s assistant, will also remain in the same role in a new development that will see two assistant coaches at the club.
Neiva, who is a CAF A license holder, UEFA Pro and CBF Pro License holder, has also had coaching roles at America CF, Platinum Stars, Bonsucesso-RJ, Yadanarborn FC and at Rakhine United between 2011-2012.
Neiva also worked at Associacao Atletica Francana, Montego Bay United, the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team.
Between 2021 to 2022, he worked at Sudan and CECAFA region heavyweights Al-Merrikh but was sacked after just 51 days, without managing an official game.
He joined Vipers in July 2023 before being shown the door in December 2023.
