Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia Football Club have settled on Brazilian-born coach, Leonardo Neiva, as the club’s new head coach.
The 21 times record winners of the Kenya Premier League title signed a two year contract with Neiva after their head coach Johnathan McKinstry left the club to head the Scorpions, Gambia’s national football team.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 46 years ago, Neiva Leo began his career as a futsal player for Fluminense FC before moving to field soccer, where he played for the youth team of Bonsucesso. He also had other experiences in the youth categories, including spells at Jacarepaguá and Juventude (RS).
The professional attacking midfielder played for EC Nova Cidade , a club from the city of Nilópolis, in Rio de Janeiro. He also played for Portugal based clubs such as Portuguesa Santista and Vilanovense FC.
In 2007, he began his coaching career as an assistant coach at América-RJ before accepting an invitation to take over the youth team at Platinum Stars (Royal Bafokeng) in South Africa.
He later returned to his home country in 2010 to lead the Bonsucesso team in Rio de Janeiro. Thereafter, Leo got an opportunity to take over the youth team of Yadanarbon FC, a football team from Myanmar, where he was very prominent in working with young players.
A large number of them reached the national under-20 team that, for the first time in history, participated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2015.
This accomplishment placed him in the spotlight in the country. His work was recognized and he was given the opportunity to lead the main team of Rakhine United. At the time, he was the youngest coach to take over a professional club in Myanmar – at 34 years old.
After the end of his contract with the Asian club, Leo had the chance to return to Brazil again, where he led the Francana team in the Série A3 of the Campeonato Paulista.
The coach only returned to lead a Brazilian club in 2019, when he accepted the challenge of leading Atlético Itapemirim, a team from Espírito Santo.
Between these comings and goings in his home country, the coach also took advantage of the time to complete the CBF/CONMEBOL A and Pro License courses.
Some of the notable titles he has won include Jamaican Premier League: 2015–16 with Montego Bay FC, Tanzanian Premier League: 2014–15 with Young Africans, Nelson Mandela Cup: 2009 with Platinum Stars
He is among the 33 international coaches of the 53 total number of those who had applied to succeed Irish national Johnathan McKinstry.
Neiva was in December 2023 sacked by Uganda’s Vipers FC after an historic loss of 3 – 2 to league leaders Bul FC at the St. Marys Stadium.
In a press release, the club appreciated Neiva for his services during the six months stay at the club and wished him best in his next assignment.
“The club would like to thank Neiva for his services during his stay at the Venoms family and wishes him the best in his career development.” read part of the press release.
The development came after a mutual agreement between the club and Mr. Leonardo.
“Vipers Sports Club informs its stakeholders and general public that it has by mutual consent ended its contractual relationship with Mr. Leonard Martins Neiva,” the club said.
Leonardo’s first assignment with the club will be in the Cecafa Kagame Cup slated for 10 to 28 this month in Tanzania and Zanzibar.