Vaz Pinto hits the ground running at his new club

Former Gor Mahia tactician Carlos Vaz Pinto has hit the ground running at his new club CD Nacional, located at Cristiano Ronaldo's hometown of Madeira barely two weeks after leaving the defending champions.

Pinto, who joined the club as an assistant coach, led a training session yesterday ahead of a cup game against Estoril Praia on Sunday at 8 PM, his first major assignment ahead of the league commencement in August.

Nacional are set to kick start their league campaign against SL Benfica B on August 8, 2021, in a quest to seek promotion at the end of the season.

In a post on his social platforms, Pinto expressed his delight in going back home upon invitation by returning head coach Costinha who has been tasked with guiding the team back to the Portuguese top flight after they suffered relegation last season following their last place finish.

"There's a new adrenaline rush, a new challenge. There's a new painting and another setting. Back to the language where I learned the lyrics. Back to Madeira, where the route before made has brought me here. There is happiness. Just give us a piece of grass and a ball, then let the work flow. It was with great satisfaction that I received Costinha's invitation to integrate its technical team at CD Nacional. Loyalty, commitment and a great willingness to help in a project that is now mine," the coach posted.

Pinto parted ways with Gor Mahia earlier this month and left the country for Portugal on Friday, July 9 ending his six-month association with the record league champions. His last assignment as Gor coach was a day before when his side went down 2-1 to Tusker FC at Ruaraka.

The Portuguese said he opted to walk out of the club due to personal reasons and in consultation with club chairman Ambrose Rachier they decided to end the association.

In a statement published on the club website upon his exit, the tactician thanked everyone in the team including the supporters for the backing accorded to him during his stay at the club.

Pinto statement

When I was faced with the challenge of managing Gor Mahia FC, a club of such magnitude and importance, I did not hesitate to come to Kenya.

Six months have passed, with hard work and uncertainty, due to the pandemic and all the difficulties brought along by such circumstances.

With the commitment of all players, we were driven to win with confidence and hard work despite all the concerns. All this resulted in the conquest of the FKF Betway Cup, and we wished we had won more times.

We made a great match in Zambia and we surely deserved more wins in the African competitions. Because we won the FKF Cup, we gained the right to be there again, next year.

Now, due to personal reasons, which President Ambrose Rachier respected for a long time, it is time to end my connection with Gor Mahia FC.

When I arrived, six months ago, the team was in a difficult situation. Presently, we are all aware that we have made a great job, consistent to the dimension of this enormous club. I will take with me your kindness and I promise to come back to Kenya, where I felt so welcome during all these months.

I would like to leave a final message to the Gor Mahia FC fans: keep supporting this club, so that they can go on winning titles and claim the greatest sport symbol of the country! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”