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Harambee Stars coach warns ex- Gor Mahia boss Johnathan McKinstry on pressure of new Gambia job
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has sent Johnathan McKinstry a message of luck as he embarks on his new job as head coach of The Gambia national football team.
McKinstry guided Gor Mahia to two back-to-back league titles before accepting the new job, where he is taking over from Tom Saintfiet, who left the side following their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit.
McKinstry has managed three different national teams before, with Sierra Leone, Uganda and Rwanda on his CV. Now, he is being tasked with helping them qualify for the next AFCON, as well as the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Firat congratulated McKinstry on his new role, but warned it would not be easy considering the high standards that nation has set in recent years.
“He is going to a very good team. The expectations there are high and that is why they changed coaches. We will see how he adapts if he will still be there next year.”
The nation is blessed with some talented players including Musa Barrow and Adama Bojang, and Firat has heaped praise on the general quality of their national pool.
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13:00 - 23.05.2024
Firat optimistic about Okumu, Ouma's return for 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Firat is hopeful that key defenders Joseph Okumu and Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma will be available for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“They have good individual players. Most of their forwards played in Serie A before moving to Saudi Arabia for money. They have a really strong team and they showed it not just at the last AFCON, but the one before that when they reached the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Firat believes Kenya has to be a mainstay for future AFCON tournaments because it will help them gain more experience.
“About AFCON, I spoke about it before and with the boys. We should always be at the tournament as Kenya. There is no debate about that.
“We should always be at AFCON. We have to be in the next one (In Morocco) When we play at home, we always have to go with a positive mindset, especially as we prepare for the home edition.”
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12:00 - 23.05.2024
REVEALED: Former Australia youth international Bruce Kamau approached Harambee Stars to consider calling him up
The Perth Glory speedstar approached the Harambee Stars about a willingness to represent them, having played for the Australia U-23 side on five ocassions.
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