Gor Mahia’s head coach Leonardo Neiva faced furious fans and a chaotic scene at Machakos' Kenyatta Stadium today, Saturday November 2, as supporters heckled him relentlessly following a frustrating draw against Murang’a Seal.
The tense scene quickly escalated, captured in a video circulating online, as the frustrated fans descended on the Brazilian coach.
Under fire for recent poor performances, Neiva was swiftly escorted away by police as the crowd’s anger intensified. Officers were ultimately forced to use teargas to disperse the crowd after tensions boiled over.
Fans made no attempt to conceal their frustration post-match, demanding accountability from both the players and coaching staff. As emotions flared, the scene turned chaotic, with angry supporters calling for the coach’s immediate removal.
Earlier this week, the embattled Neiva had read the riot act to his team after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Nairobi City in their midweek Football Kenya Federation Premier League fixture.
In the charged meeting with players, Neiva, a no-nonsense coach, made it clear to the players that they have to give their all to the team, be respectful, and adhere to their contractual obligation or leave.
“The coach was very clear that he wouldn’t condone indiscipline amongst us and that only those who work hard will be given a chance to play on merit. He made it clear that he wouldn’t want to be blamed by the fans yet it is his players who are letting him down,” stated one of the players at the club who wished not to be named.
“Those who have been advocating for morning training sessions even when the coach says we train in the evening also asked for forgiveness after acknowledging they have been doing so to get time to participate in unsanctioned local tournaments,” the player added.
K’Ogalo fans were irked by their loss to Nairobi City Stars and vented their anger on Neiva who had to be rushed to the dressing room by police and stewards. Fans also took issue with the players saying most of them were participating in unsanctioned local tournaments leading to them turning up for league match days exhausted.
Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno asked the fans for forgiveness after the loss to a 10-man City Stars, who were languishing at the bottom of the table before the game.
The loss against Nairobi City was the first for Gor in the league this season. The champions have seven points from four matches.
Neiva, who took over on July 1, had challenged the players to start a new path by beating Murang’a Seal today to restore the confidence of the fans. Last season Gor and Seal played out a barren draw at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani (MISC) on November 11 in a game marred by mass brawls which forced police to intervene.
