Gor Mahia close to filling void left by Jonathan McKinstry

Gor Mahia club chairman Ambrose Rachier has announced that the club is inching closer to finding a replacement for Jonathan McKinstry, who left to take up an assignment with the Gambia national team.

Rachier revealed that the club has subjected the candidates to meticulous scrutiny, and the best candidate will be announced as McKinstry’s replacement on June 23, when the Northern Irishman will officially bid farewell to Kogalo.

The chairman has revealed that they have settled on ten individuals on the shortlist who will undergo the final round of the selection process.

According to Rachier, the candidates were judged based on their previous successes with other clubs, especially at the continental level.

“We have taken our time reviewing their CVs to ensure we select the best candidates. We focused on their past performances and their coaching experience with various teams or countries,” said Rachier.

Gor Mahia’s new coach first major assignment for the new coach will be the CECAFA Kagame Cup, which kicks off on July 6, 2024, in Tanzania and Zanzibar, followed by an invitational tournament in Enugu, Nigeria.

The Gambia National Sports Council officially announced the appointment of Jonathan McKinstry in May , as the Head Coach of the Gambia Men’s national football team.

“It’s been a huge honor. Gor is one of the most storied clubs in Africa; the link with the community and history of the club is what really attracted me to come here. The roots of the club are grown deep in the community. When the team wins or loses, it is not just about supporters but goes deep into their families as well,” the tactician said, speaking to the club’s official social media channels.

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman’s task ahead, in his two-year contract in Gambia, is to help the country secure a slot at the 2025 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON).

McKinstry’s appointment as the Gambian national team head coach came shortly after he guided Gor Mahia to a record 21st league title this season, marking their return to the regional and continental stage.