The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has named Johnathan (Johnny) McKinstry as the new head coach of the men’s national team, tasked with guiding the “Scorpions” to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
McKinstry, a 38-year-old from Northern Ireland, arrives with a successful pedigree, having secured back-to-back Kenyan league titles with Gor Mahia. He will officially take the reins on June 1st with a two-year contract.
His immediate challenge will be a baptism by fire: World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and Gabon on June 8th and 11th respectively. This comes with The Gambia currently languishing in fifth place in their qualifying group after defeats to Burundi and Ivory Coast.
The appointment follows a rigorous selection process, with BBC Sport Africa reporting that former England defender Sol Campbell and Ivorian legend Kolo Toure were also considered.
McKinstry boasts experience on the international stage, having previously managed Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Uganda. He inherits a team that has enjoyed a significant rise under his predecessor, Tom Saintfiet. Saintfiet guided The Gambia to their maiden AFCON appearance in 2021, reaching the quarter-finals before a group stage exit in 2023. He stepped down after six years in charge, having overseen a remarkable 42-place improvement in the FIFA world rankings.
The road to the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco remains unclear. While qualifiers are expected to be held later this year (September-November), the Confederation of African Football is yet to finalize the draw or confirm the tournament dates.
McKinstry’s arrival marks a new chapter for Gambian football. With his experience and a team hungry for further success, he will be aiming to build on the foundations laid by Saintfiet and propel The Scorpions further onto the continental stage.
