Leo Neiva’s Former Teams:
2007:- América (Assistant, Brazil)
2008-2009:- Platinum Stars (Youth, South Africa)
2010:- Bonsucesso (Brazil)
2010-2011:- Yadanarbon (Youth, Mynmar)
2011/2012:- Rakhine United (Mynmar)
2013:- AA Francana (Brazil)
2014/2015:- Yanga (Tanzania)
2015/2016:- Montego Bay (Jamaica)
2016/2017:- Yadanarbon (Mynamar)
2017:- Thai Honda (Thailand)
2019/2020: Atlético Itapemirim (Brazil)
2021:- Saint Kitts and Nevis
2021/2022:- Al-Merrikh (Sudan)
Vipers have appointed Brazilian Coach Leonard Martins Neiva, popularly known as Leo Neiva as the new head coach.
The Brazilian takes over from of the club taking over from Alex Isabirye, who parted ways with the Club recently.
Leo Neiva is not new in East Africa having won the Tanzania Premier League with Yanga SC in 2014/15 season.
The Brazilian, unveiled on Thursday, has inked a two-year contract until 2025.
He comes with a heavy CV that include being former head coach of Saint Kitts and Nevis national team, affiliated to CONCACAF.
And he becomes the third Brazilian head coach in Vipers’ history after Beto Bianchi and Roberto Oliviera (Robertinho).
Mulindwa Now a Contented Man
The love Vipers SC president Lawrence Mulindwa has for foreign-based coaches has never been in question.
And he has repeatedly said that local coaches cannot fulfill his dream of making Vipers the best club on the Continent.
After KCCA and Villa unveiled Sergio Traguil (Portugal) and Dusan Stojanovic (Serbian) respectively, Mulindwa was not going to sit there as his rivals enjoyed the limelight.
If Alex Isabirye winning a double – League and Uganda Cup – last season was enough to change Mulindwa’s mind-set, now you know the answer.
The Isabirye-Vipers story has been an eventful drama, from bringing in his assistant, absconding from duty, the reported accident, the social media video taking a swipe on Journalists, being summoned in Disciplinary committee etc…
But there was just one likely ending – Parting Ways.
The decision was decided a bit earlier, and Isabirye was a dead man walking.
When the club unveiled the two Brazilian players – Giancarlo Rodriguez and Tinga, it might have been on the new coach’s recommendation, and there was no going back.
Vipers Coaches Since 2010:
•Aug 2008: Edward Golola
•Aug 2012: Ambrose Chukuma (Nigerian)
•Oct 2013: Edward Golola
•August 2015: George Nsimbe
•July 2016: Abdallah Mubiru
•March 2017: Miguel Da Costa (Portugal)
•Aug 2018: Javier Martinez (Mexico)
•Dec 2018: Michael Nam Ouma (Kenya)
•July 2019: Edward Golola
•Jan 2020: Fred Kajoba
•Aug 2021: Roberto Oliveira (Brazil)
•Jan 2023: Beto Bianchi (Spain)
•Mar 2023: Alex Isabirye
•July 2023: Leo Neiva (Brazil)
