Vipers Sports Club has officially appointed Brazilian native Leonard Martins Neiva, widely known as Leo Neiva, as their new head coach, succeeding Alex Isabirye, who recently resigned.
Neiva has signed a two-year employment contract with the Venoms, effective immediately, and set to run until 2025.
He becomes the third Brazilian head coach in Vipers’ history, following in the footsteps of Beto Bianchi Pellister and Roberto Oliviera, also known as Robertinho.
The 45-year-old has managed both club and national teams across various continents, including North America, the Caribbean, South East Asia, and Africa.
He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at America CF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2007, before making his first move to Africa as the academy coach for South Africa’s Platinum Stars between 2008 and 2009.
His coaching journey has taken him back to Brazil at Bonsucesso-RJ and then to Yadanarborn FC’s youth side, where he contributed to young players earning spots in the Brazilian U-20 squad.
In 2011, Neiva was appointed as the head coach of Rakhine United in the Myanmar National League, an accomplishment he achieved at the age of 34.
Subsequently, Neiva made significant strides, managing teams in various countries, including Tanzania’s Young Africans SC, where he secured the Tanzanian Super Cup and the 2014/15 Premier League title. His successes continued as he led Jamaican side Montego Bay United to the national championship in 2016.
He also had a brief stint at Clube Atletico Itapemirim in Brazil in 2019 before guiding Saint Kitts and Nevis senior men’s national soccer team to a historic achievement. Under his leadership, the team topped Group F in the first round of the 2022 World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers, surpassing fan-favourite side Trinidad and Tobago and other nations.
In 2021, Neiva took on short coaching stints in Sudan and with CECAFA region heavyweights Al-Merrikh.