Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have confirmed the appointment of Brazilian coach Leonard Martins Neiva.
The 45-year-old Neiva put pen to paper on a two-year contract, was officially unveiled at St. Mary’s Stadium on Thursday and he comes in to replace Alex Isabirye, who resigned last week citing interference and lack of respect from the club’s top brass.
“Vipers Sports Club have appointed Brazilian native Leonard Martins Neiva, popularly known as Leo Neiva as the new head coach of the club taking over from Alex Isabirye, who resigned,” confirmed a statement on their official website, adding: “The Brazilian has penned down a two-year employment contract with the Venoms, that runs immediately and effectively ends in 2025.”
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The statement continued: “Neiva comes in with an enviable well-detailed track record of having managed and excelled at top clubs; a reputation that is so much desired at the Home of Champions – St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.”
Immediately after taking up the role, Neiva said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Vipers’s interests. This is a fantastic club. I am very excited to be here and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and developing a team that our amazing fans can be proud of.”
Neiva has been in the dugout before as both a club and national team manager, across various continents including North America, the Caribbean, South East Asia, and Africa. He kick-started his coaching career as an assistant coach at America CF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2007. That was before his first move to Africa at South Africa’s Platinum Stars as the club’s academy coach between 2008-2009.