Johnathan McKinstry, The Head Coach Of The Gambia National Team
By Ramatoulie Jawo
In preparation for their crucial home games against Comoros and Tunisia in Morocco, Johnathan McKinstry, the head coach of the Gambia Senior National Team, revealed his 24-man squad on Thursday during a press conference in Bakau.
The Gambian team is aiming to secure a third consecutive appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the upcoming fixtures against Tunisia and Comoros present a vital opportunity to clinch a spot in the tournament.
The squad announced by Coach McKinstry includes: Ebrima Jarju, Sheikh Sibi, Lamin Saidy, Omar Colley, James Gomez, Baboucarr Njie, Momodou Lion Njie, Ibou Touray, Dadi Dodou Gaye, Joseph Ceesay, Alasana Manneh, Ebrima Adams, Abubakr Barry, Muhmudu Bajo, Ebrima Darboe, Ablie Jallow, Alieu Fadera, Yankuba Minteh, Alasana Jatta, Suleimaan Camara, Musa Barrow, Abdoulie Sanyang, Alie Sowe, and Abdoulie Ceesay.
Coach Johnathan stated that they have put together a team that combines experience with youthful energy. He said the last two games are crucial, and they are confident the squad had what it takes to deliver the results they need.
Coach McKinstry emphasized that the team is a blend of experience and youthful energy. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming games, expressing confidence in the squad’s ability to achieve the desired results.
“The upcoming games are very important. We know the value of them. It is good to get to this stage with our destiny in our hands as a football team. We know that we get the results that we are after. That qualification is within our own hands. We are not having to rely on anyone else to do something which is a better position than a lot of teams find themselves in, so we are pleased to have our destiny in our own hands,” he said.
He also noted the satisfaction of seeing most players getting regular game time globally, which has been beneficial since the break after match day four. This consistency at a high level has made squad selection challenging but rewarding.
“This is something that since I have joined the scorpions has been a great pleasure. It is a challenge as well because it means we have got to make difficult decisions that sometimes players who are playing well and playing regularly do not get into the final squad, but it is purely because we have so many of our neighbours and a lot of our competitors do not have that privilege. So it is something very pleasing for us, and it is definitely made picking the squad this time again difficult, but it means we have a squad that we know will be hyper-competitive coming into the games,”he highlighted.
Coach McKinstry also pointed out that while there are a few new names, many players in the professional leagues were born and raised in The Gambia. He welcomed players from the diaspora, emphasizing their importance to the team.