Former Gor tactician McKinstry named Gambia's head football coach

Johnathan McKinstry has been officially named new head coach of the Gambia football team on a two-year contract, with one of his goals to secure the team's place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman, who fills the vacuum left by the Belgian Tom Saintfiet, has extensive coaching experience in Africa.

He came out on top after 90 initial applications was eventually whittled down to three.

"The National Sports Council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports is delighted to announce the appointment of a Senior National Football Team Coach, in the person of Mr. Johnathan McKinstry," read a statement from the Gambian National Sports Council.

"In this regard, the general public is hereby informed that Johnathan McKinstry has been appointed on two years contract by the Ministry of Youth and Sports."

Gambia is the fourth African national side he will have taken charge of -- Sierra Leone the first in 2013, followed by Rwanda (2015-16) and Uganda (2019-2021).

His last coaching post was from 2022-2024 with Kenyan club side Gor Mahia, which he guided to winning their record 21st FKF Premier League title last weekend.