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Gor Mahia boss Leo Neiva has sent an imploring message to the fans after their CECAFA Kagame Cup exit.
Gor Mahia's Brazilian head coach, Leo Neiva, has called for patience from the fans following the team's early exit from the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Gor Mahia finished third in Group B with just one point, earned from a 1-1 draw against Djibouti Telecom last Saturday. The team lost their other two matches against Red Arrows and Al Hilal.
The early exit was disappointing for a section of the fans who expected a more competitive performance. However, Neiva, who has only been with the club for two weeks, emphasized the need for patience as he works on transitioning the team's style of play from the pragmatic approach under former coach Johnathan McKinstry to a more expressive, ball-focused game.
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17:58 - 16.07.2024
CECAFA Kagame Cup: Gor Mahia fall short in dead-rubber clash against Al Hilal despite spirited display
Gor Mahia put in a spirited display but ultimately fell short to Al Hilal, who secured all nine points from group B with a 2-0 win over the Kenyan side.
"Be patient please because now is a transition - we cannot change things just like that," Neiva said after the match.
"We did not come here just to play. We came to also compete and try and win but football is like that. We should suffer now and use the three games - including the draw against Djibouti Telecom - as a big lesson for us."
Despite the disappointing results, Neiva chose to focus on the positives. He explained that the tournament provided valuable exposure against international teams and an opportunity to instill his tactical blueprint as the team prepares for the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign.
"For us, we were using this tournament as a pre-season for the CAF Champions League, which is our biggest target. Now we are going to a tournament in Nigeria to gain more exposure. Al Hilal deserved the win. They were more experienced and more mature, and they have been playing in the Champions League every year."
Gor Mahia will now turn their attention to the Nigerian Coal City Invitational in Enugu, where they face a daunting task against Brazilian heavyweights Corinthians. Neiva emphasized that his focus is not on the results but on how well his players adapt to his methods ahead of the tournament.
The record Kenyan champions will kick off the tournament with a match against Corinthians on Friday, August 2. Following the Corinthians clash, K’Ogalo will face Cotton FC on Sunday, August 4, before completing the group stage games with a match against Remo Stars two days later.
"I have been very pleased with how we played. I am not looking at the results right now because I have been here just two weeks. This is the time to give opportunity to players, to see what they can do and buy into my ideas," Neiva stated.
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15:00 - 16.07.2024
Hope for Gor Mahia & Harambee Stars after government gives positive update on Nyayo Stadium
Gor Mahia, Kenya Police and Harambee Stars could still host their upcoming international matches in Kenya if government lives up to its latest promise on Nyayo Stadium.
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