Gor Mahia name Robertinho as head coach

As exclusively reported by Nation Sport, Gor Mahia on Saturday appointed Brazilian tactician Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Carmo as the new coach.

This development comes barely a day after the record Kenyan champions parted ways with British tactician Steven Polack on mutual consent.

The 60-year-old former Brazilian striker, popularly known as Robertinho, has been coaching in Africa for the last 15 years with stints in Tunisia, Angola and most recently Rayon Sports of Rwanda.

Robertinho arrived in the country at 6am Saturday morning and was received by Gor Mahia officials.

Nation Sport understands the Brazilian will be unveiled on Monday at the club's secretariat in Nairobi.

“We are excited to announce the arrival of our new coach Roberto Oliveira from Brazil. He has had long coaching experience in Africa thus making him more conversant with African football. We think he will be a great asset in our quest to achieve better results on the field,” Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier is quoted as saying by the club portal.

Robertinho said the prospect of coaching Gor was too good to turn down.

“After leaving Rayon Sports, I got three offers to come back to Africa but I turned them down…. When Gor Mahia came knocking, I couldn’t turn it down because I like the club…. I like their style because I have seen Gor Mahia play many times and even had a tie against them in Caf competition. I am happy to be offered the chance to coach the team,” said Roberto.

“Gor Mahia have won everything in local competitions and it is about time to make a mark in Caf competitions. It will take the collective effort of players, technical staff, and management to achieve what we want. I believe it can be done.”

The Brazilian, who was hired on a two-year contract, says the only big difference he can make compared to the past coaches is to ensure continental glory returns to K'Ogalo's camp as it was in the 80s. Gor won the prestigious Mandela Cup in 1987 and since then the club has been a pale shadow of itself, with the best performance being in 2018 when they reached the quarter-final stage.

K'Ogalo have been training under the tutelage of assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo as they prepare for Caf Champions League matches which kick next month.

He joined Rayon Sports in June 2018  after Belgian coach Ivan Minneart who also coached  former champions AFC Leopards was fired. He later left the club in July 2019 and went back to Brazil.

In 2018, he lead Rayon Sports to hard fought 2-1 win against K'Ogalo at Kasarani to dash the hopes of the Kenyan champions of qualifying  for the quarterfinal of the Caf Confederation Cup. Gor Mahia drew 1-1 in Kigali in the first leg match against the Rwandan giants.