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Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva narrowly escaped angry fans demanding accountability after a shocking 2-1 defeat to 10-man Nairobi City Stars.
Leonardo Neiva escaped the wrath of Gor Mahia fans on Monday evening, but is still skating on thin ice after the defending champions’ shock 2-1 defeat to Nairobi City Stars in a heated Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match.
The loss to a team down to 10 men sparked a fierce reaction from K’Ogalo’s faithful, leading to security officers and stewards rushing the Brazilian coach to safety in the face of angry chants and demands for explanations.
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The drama unfolded at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County, where Gor Mahia fans, traditionally one of the most passionate fan bases in Kenya, reached a boiling point.
Having seen their side succumb to a club that had been at the bottom of the league standings, many fans felt let down, questioning Neiva’s tactics and his commitment to the club’s legacy.
The 21-time league champions had not only suffered their first loss of the season but had also lost to an opponent they had dominated in their last 15 encounters since 2014.
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As reported by Nation, the incident grew intense as the angry fans, upset and frustrated by the unexpected loss, began chanting against Neiva, demanding accountability from the coach and his team.
“Since Neiva took over, we’ve never been impressed by his style of play,” one of the fans who attended the match told Pulse Sports over the phone, requesting anonymity.
The coach’s appointment on July 1 to replace Johnathan McKinstry was initially met with hope, but fans have since grown critical of what they perceive as uninspiring tactics and lackluster on-field strategies.
As fans crowded near the players’ tunnel, their frustration escalated, forcing Gor Mahia security head Lawrence Odhiambo and team captain Philemon Otieno to step in and plead for calm.
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Otieno, visibly shaken by the hostility, issued a public apology on behalf of the team.
“We had many players unavailable for selection, but I cannot use that as an excuse. What I want to say is that for today, forgive us. We have asked for forgiveness. It is our first loss of the season, but we are sorry," he said as per MozzartSport.
Flanked by Odhiambo, Otieno’s appeal seemed to do little to quell the anger of some supporters, who shouted back, questioning the players’ commitment to the club’s crest and challenging their determination to deliver positive results.
Others suggested that those unwilling to fight for Gor Mahia’s honor should “leave the club.”
The match’s unexpected outcome seemed to fuel the fan’s sense of betrayal. Despite taking an early lead with a stunning 23rd-minute goal by Levin Odhiambo, Gor Mahia lost control of the match in the second half.
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Nairobi City Stars equalized through Robin Asenwa in the 60th minute, and former Gor Mahia striker Dennis Oalo completed the turnaround with a goal eight minutes later.
The frustration peaked with the fact that City Stars were down to 10 men after Edwin Buliba’s red card for a dangerous tackle in the closing minutes.
Adding to fans' frustrations, Gor Mahia had opened the season in dominant form, securing a 4-0 win over Mathare United in their opener and defeating Posta Rangers 3-0 just last week.
Their only stumble before Monday had been a goalless draw against league leaders KCB.
Yet, this shocking defeat to City Stars, a team struggling at the bottom of the table, has cast doubts over Neiva’s tenure.
Neiva’s future remains under scrutiny as fans and critics alike await his next moves.
The Brazilian’s journey with Gor Mahia started with optimism, yet three matches into the season, the calls for change are already mounting.
For now, the coach is safe, but with K’Ogalo fans unrelenting in their expectations, Neiva knows he will need to rally his team and produce results, or face a tough reckoning with Gor Mahia’s faithful.
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