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Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva has revealed what has led to his team’s poor run of form as pressure increases ahead of the must-win Mashemeji derby later this month.
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva is confident of turning around the club’s woeful run of form that has seen them go four matches without a win.
Neiva has come under pressure from the demanding Gor Mahia supporters, and was even assaulted by a section of fans, following a recent draw, having watched his team drop 10 points in the last four matches.
K’Ogalo have not tasted victory since beating Poster Rangers on October 19, following it up with a goalless draw against KCB, 2-1 loss to Nairobi City Stars, 2-2 stalemate with Murang’a Seal, when they surrendered a 2-0 lead, before last week’s away loss to Bandari.
It leaves Gor Mahia in an unfamiliar 12th position on the table on eight points, nine behind league leaders KCB, although they have two matches in hand, and Neiva has given reasons why his team are underperforming while remaining confident of a turnaround.
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05:20 - 13.11.2024
'It won't be business as usual' - Ambani vows to rectify Leoparads' woeful form against Gor Mahia
AFC Leopards tactician Fred Ambani has vowed to correct woeful head-to-head record against arch rivals Gor Mahia during the Mashemeji derby this month.
“I can say that we will certainly recover ourselves, but we can see that this season the league is more competitive and balanced. All of the giants in the Premier League are going through difficulties, it is not Gor Mahia alone,” Neiva told Flashscore.
The Brazilian tactician also cited his players’ participation in a recent unsanctioned match as one of the contributing factors for the poor run.
“The Mosquito FC tournament certainly affected the draw against (KCB) and the defeat to Nairobi City Stars, as it significantly affected the physical aspect of my players and the team,” added Neiva, who dropped Enock Morrison, Paul Ochuoga, Musa Masika and Chris Ochieng for the game against City Stars for featuring in the tournament.
“In other games where we started leading and conceded goals in the second half... there was lack of concentration to maintain the victory. Football is detailed. We should work very hard to improve the management of the game.
“Regarding the last defeat [against Bandari] away, in addition to the pitch being impractical for our style of play, the red card affected us, as we lost a player and immediately conceded a free-kick which resulted in their first goal,” he added.
Neiva inherited a squad that had won the Premier League in back-to-back seasons under Johnathan McKinstry but they currently look anything but champions and Neiva admits that will inevitably bring pressure, which he is ready to deal with.
“Of course, we are the current champions but we are going to work hard on this issue and get ourselves back to where we belong, we need to win matches and not lose matches, we will do something,” he said.
“There is no professional football without pressure, especially in a giant club like Gor Mahia. I Just request for the fans to believe in us. We are working hard to get them to smile and celebrate again.”
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05:15 - 04.11.2024
Protect our game: Leo Neiva, Tomas Trucha and the urgent call to end fan violence in football
Over the weekend, fan frustrations boiled over into chaotic scenes at Kenyan football matches, sparking urgent calls for respectful sportsmanship.
Gor Mahia have the Mashemeji derby against bitter rivals AFC Leopards after the international break and Neiva will have it rough if his team does not win.
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