Zico to lead Gor Mahia until end of season, confirms Rachier

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has confirmed that interim coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno will lead the club for the rest of the season as the Head Coach.

According to Rachier, Zico has convinced the office with his performance since taking over in November last year, following the firing of Brazilian Leonardo Neiva.

“As of now, we are not hiring a new Head coach. We are convinced that our interim coach Zedekiah Otieno is doing well with the team,’’ said Rachier.

The club had received well over 40 applications from foreign coaches, but the chairman says Zico and Michael Nam will continue for the rest of the season.

The departure of Brazilian Leonardo Martins Neiva in November 2024 left a gap in the coaching role but Zico was appointed to take charge on an interim basis, having served serving as one of Neiva’s assistants.

Zico has led Gor Mahia to five wins, one draw and two losses since taking over from Neiva, elevating the side to third on the log with 24 points, three shy of leaders KCB, but with a match at hand.

‘’We have decided to give the interim coaches time. Come end of the season, we shall gauge their performance before we can make a new decision. But if they meet our expectations, we will surely not need a foreign coach,’’ added Rachier.

Zico has previously coached Gor and Harambee Stars as the Head coach. He re-joined Gor early this season from Sofapaka FC where he only served for one season. He also previously coached current Kenyan Premier League leaders KCB.

Earlier on, football stakeholders had called on Gor Mahia to let ‘Zico’ take full charge of Gor.

Former Gor Mahi Assistant Secretary General Ronald Ngala had suggested to Gor that Zico and Michael Nam have the impetus needed to steer K’Ogalo.

"According to me, Zico is doing well and I think the club needs to give him time. Better a local coach who understands local layers as opposed to a foreigner who can take time to understand the boys,” Ngala said a fortnight ago.

Zico is currently also handling the national team Harambee Stars as an assistant to Francis Kiamanzi.

He is thus away with the team in Zanzibar, where the Mapinduzi Cup 2025 is taking place.