May 22, (THEWILL) – In a pivotal move for Gambian football, the National Sports Council, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has announced the appointment of Northern Irishman, Johnathan McKinstry, as the new head coach of the senior national team.
The 38-year-old has signed a two-year contract, with his primary objective being to secure Gambia’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. McKinstry brings a wealth of coaching experience in Africa to his new role. He emerged as the successful candidate from an initial pool of 90 applicants, which was eventually whittled down to three finalists.
The Northern Irishman’s extensive African coaching portfolio includes stints with the national teams of Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Uganda, in addition to a recent tenure with Kenyan club side Gor Mahia from 2022 to 2024.
His appointment fills the vacancy left by the departure of Belgian Tom Saintfiet, who stepped down in January after five-and-a-half years at the helm of the Gambia national team. Saintfiet’s tenure was marked by notable achievements, including guiding the “Scorpions” to the quarter-finals of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in their maiden appearance.
McKinstry’s track record in African football and his experience managing diverse teams across the continent position him well to lead Gambia’s pursuit of success on the international stage. As the nation looks ahead to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the new coach’s expertise and strategic vision will be pivotal in shaping the team’s preparations and fortifying their ambitions.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
