FKF Premier League side Gor Mahia have sacked head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva after only four months in charge.Neiva, who officially joined K’Ogalo at the beginning of the 2024-2025 season, has overseen one of the worst starts at the club, forcing his termination.##NAJAVA_MECA_8494763##In a statement, Gor Mahia announced that the management “invoked a contractual clause” leading to the end of the coach’s tenure effective immediately.”The club extends its gratitude to Mr. Neiva for his commitment, hard work, and contributions to Gor Mahia during his time with the team,” the club stated. “However, following a thorough evaluation and in the interest of aligning with the club’s long-term vision, the management has determined that a change in leadership is necessary.”Gor Mahia Football Club Announces Termination of Head Coach’s Contract🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/fcn2kQ9Ms0— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) November 13, 2024 As a result, assistant coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and Michael Nam will take over in the interim “as the recruitment process for a new head coach progresses.”The announcement marks the end of what has been a rocky period for the Brazilian coach, who replaced Johnathan McKinstry on 1 July 2024.Gor Mahia appoints Martins Neiva as new head coachComing in with the expectations of leading the 21-time champions to more glory, Neiva stumbled in his first outing with K’Ogalo when he failed to get a win nor get past the group stages of the CECAFA Kagame Cup.More concern on his tactical acumen and the promised “Brazilian samba” intensified when Gor Mahia were knocked out of the CAF Champions League preliminary stages, losing 6-0 on aggregate to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.And while there was a convincing rout of Sudan’s El Merreikh in the second-leg of the first preliminary CAF Champions League preliminary round, many didn’t expect them to lose in the first leg in Juba.Gor Mahia ask fans to be patient with Brazilian head coach after shaky startNeiva enjoyed a bright start to the domestic league season when Gor Mahia hammered promoted Mathare United and Posta Rangers, but his season took a turn immediately after that.Presented an opportunity to make a statement against early leaders KCB, Gor Mahia settled for a barren draw, just as rumors surrounding some of the team players featuring for nondescript side A Mosquito FC emerged.Raft of sanctions await Gor Mahia players who featured for A Mosquito FCIn a quest to maintain high standards and professionalism in the dressing room, Neiva dropped some of the players involved, only for his unbeaten start to come to a surprising halt in a 2-1 loss to Nairobi City Stars.Days later, the 46-year-old was being led away by stewards as fans unleashed discontent on him following Gor Mahia’s 2-2 draw with Murang’a Seal.Gor Mahia coach reportedly assaulted as chaos erupt after Murang’a Seal draw [VIDEO]Things took a turn for the worst when his side was comfortably battered by Bandari in Ukunda on 6 November, with fans again threatening to disrupt the match as it got to its closing stages.Gor Mahia vs Bandari match prematurely halted by fan riotsThe former Vipers SC coach leaves Gor Mahia 12th on the Premier League standings with a paltry eight points – nine behind leaders KCB.Gor Mahia, not known for making mid-season changes or missing out on savvy coaches, have bitten the bullet here, and it will be interesting to see which coach they acquire in the coming days.
