NEIVA UPBEAT

New Gor coach to adopt 'Samba' flair at the Cecafa Kagame Cup in Tanzania

Head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva said they intend to go to the regional show fashionably.

In Summary

•The Brazilian gaffer reckons the talent-laden K'Ogalo squad boasts sufficient depth to coast to another title in the bordering nation.

•The record Kenyan champions have been drawn in Group 'B' alongside Al Hilal (Sudan), Red Arrows FC (Zambia) and Djibouti Telkom FC (Djibouti).

head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva
head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva
Image: HANDOUT

Gor Mahia will spice up their game with a flavour of Brazilian Samba at the 2024 Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Kagame Cup in Tanzania. 

In an interview, head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva said they are ready for the regional show. 

He promised to light up the stands with a mixture of entertaining and competitive football. Neiva made the remarks even as the Kenyan champions amplified training ahead of the upscale regional inter-club showpiece that runs from July 9-21.

"We shall keep our fans on the edge of their seats with Brazilian style of play because we are aware many people would love to watch us display a beautiful game," Neivas remarked. 

"But again, we must deliver a mix of beautiful and competitive style of play for us to accomplish the desired outcome," he added. 

The Brazilian gaffer reckons the talent-laden K'Ogalo squad boasts sufficient depth to coast to another title in the bordering nation. 

"I'll be evaluating the group of players I've been given to see if they have the potential to adapt to my desired mode of play," Neiva stated.

The focus will be on Neiva as he embarks on the Cecafa journey, where he aspires to steer the Kenyan champions to a fourth regional title.

Gor last tucked away the coveted silverware in 1985 after seeing off traditional arch-rivals AFC Leopards 2-0.

Neiva said he will be navigating familiar waters, having previously guided Tanzania's Young Africans SC to both the Tanzanian Super Cup and the 2014/15 Premier League titles.

"We are aware in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania we have a lot of physical contact. The game is also very fast. We'll try to counter that with a lot of ball possession," Neiva said. 

The record Kenyan champions have been drawn in Group 'B' alongside Al Hilal (Sudan), Red Arrows FC (Zambia) and Djibouti Telkom FC (Djibouti).

Hosts Tanzania earned two slots as hosts with Singinda and Coastal Union flying the country's flag at the tournament.

The games will be held at the Azam Complex in Dar-es-salaam and the newly constructed KMC Stadium in Kinondoni.

The top teams from each group and the best runner-up will proceed to the semi-final stage.

Group 'A' has Coastal Union FC (Tanzania), Al Wadi FC (Sudan), JKU SC (Zanzibar) and Dekedaha FC (Somalia).

Group 'C' is equally tough with SC Villa (Uganda), APR (Rwanda), Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) and El Merreikh Bentiu (South Sudan) all battling for the title.