Coach Johnathan McKinstry of Gambia, familiar with Kenyan football, prepares for a World Cup qualifier against Kenya, emphasizing attacking play under new coach Benni McCarthy. The match marks the first meeting between the two nations, signifying a blend of McKinstry’s past and present coaching experiences. Both teams aim to evolve and secure crucial points in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Gambia’s coach, Johnathan McKinstry, possesses a deep understanding of Kenyan football, having previously managed Gor Mahia, where he secured two league titles and a Super Cup during his tenure from July 2022 to June 2024. Since taking on the role of Gambia’s coach in June 2024, McKinstry’s insights into Kenyan football have been further enriched by his past experiences with the national teams of Rwanda and Uganda, against whom he played Kenya four times, resulting in draws in all encounters.
As Gambia prepares for a significant World Cup qualifier against Kenya, the match will mark the inaugural meeting between the two nations at this level. McKinstry finds excitement in facing Benni McCarthy, the recently appointed Harambee Stars coach, emphasizing his anticipation for a potentially vibrant encounter at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, scheduled for 10 PM Thursday.
McKinstry anticipates a different style of play from Kenya under McCarthy’s leadership, contrasting the more defensive strategies previously employed. He believes that McCarthy’s focus on attacking football, showcased during his time with Manchester United, will invigorate Harambee Stars. “If you had asked me six months ago, I would have said that Kenya would play defensively and try to score from set-pieces. However, with McCarthy in charge right now, I do not think that will be the case,” McKinstry stated.
Gambia’s recent shift towards an attacking style under McKinstry is significant, moving away from the more conservative tactics of former coach Tom Saintfeit, who had success but did not engage fans due to a less dynamic playing style. Gamsian sports journalist Amadou Tamba noted, “Saintfeit was a results-driven coach… fans did not like how the team played. Gambian football fans appreciate attacking football.”
Regarding team selections, McKinstry has garnered respect from fans for prioritizing consistent performance, diverging from Saintfeit’s controversial picks. Gambia has over 200 players competing professionally across various continents, allowing McKinstry to base his selections on form and performance rather than reputation alone. He remarked, “I make an effort to track their performances so that I identify players who are playing well consistently.”
The Gambia national team continues to face challenges, hosting matches in neutral venues without a CAF-approved stadium. Tamba points out that the situation is unfortunate, as Gambia possesses quality grounds. Although Gambia last played a competitive home match in 2021, they have recently hosted home games in Morocco under a memorandum of understanding, which has proved beneficial for logistical and financial reasons.
Despite past losses in World Cup qualifiers, McKinstry believes in his team’s potential to secure vital points against both Kenya and Ivory Coast. “We still have a hill to climb and we have to get going. We face two tough teams who present challenges that require different approaches and we have the quality to get six points from Kenya and Ivory Coast,” he mentioned.
Differentiating team selections further highlights the gap between the two nations, as McKinstry opted not to call up any local-based players due to the lesser quality prevalent in Gambia’s amateur leagues. His focus remains on scouting European-based players of Gambian descent, including rising talents like Musa Dibaga and Yankuba Minteh, as he aims to build a sustainable national team structure beyond his contract term, concluding in June 2026.
In preparing for the match, adjustments were made to accommodate Ramadan, ensuring players could observe their fast while maintaining competitiveness. McKinstry outlined the necessity of nocturnal training sessions, reflecting his adaptability and experience in coaching in predominantly Muslim countries.
The upcoming clash between Gambia and Kenya embodies more than mere competition; it signifies McKinstry’s evolution as a coach. As his past intersects with his present, he enters the pitch ready to be tested and measured not merely by results, but by the evolution of his coaching philosophy amidst direct competition against his former domain.
This article examines Gambia’s football coach, Johnathan McKinstry, as he prepares for a pivotal World Cup qualifier against Kenya, featuring a reunion with Kenyan football. McKinstry’s familiarity with Kenyan football is fortified by his coaching experiences in the region, presenting a contrasting approach between his own attacking philosophy and the defensive strategies often used by previous Kenyan teams. As both teams look to make strides, the forthcoming match promises to be a significant evaluation of their respective football styles and philosophies.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
