McKinstry set for Gor Mahia return ahead of final FKF-PL matches

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry is expected back in K’Ogalo camp on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, for the remaining FKF Premier League matches. 

McKinstry left the country two weeks ago to lead the Gambian National Football Team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they thrashed Seychelles 5-1 on Saturday to register their first win in three Group F matches.

Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier says the Irishman will be officially released from the club after K’Ogalo’s final Premier League match of the season on June 23, 2024 against Bidco United in Machakos.

“We are expecting him back on Wednesday to accomplish his assignment with us before we can officially release him. He will be in charge of our three remaining matches before officially parting ways with us on mutual agreement,” said Rachier.

McKinstry is expected to lead Gambia in another qualifying match Tuesday night against Gabon, who are placed second n Group F.

He is then set to land in Kenya on Wednesday to guide the record 21-time FKF Premier League champions in their remaining matches against Sofapaka on Sun, June 16, Talanta on Wed, June 19, and Bidco United on Sun, June 23, before he officially leaves the club.

Gor Chairman Rachier says the club will only name a new coach after releasing McKinstry.

“We are delighted that fresh from coaching our beloved club Gor Mahia, he has made a mark at the International level handing Gambian their first win in group F of the World Cup qualifiers,” noted Rachier.

Rachier explained that before McKinstry was appointed as Gambia head coach in May, his contract with Gor was still running but they agreed to release him on condition that he will see Gor through to the last league match of the season.

Before he left for a two-week leave, Gor had already clinched their record 21st premier league title with three matches to spare.

He was also in charge of Gor last season when they won the league title, despite the disappointment of not featuring in the CAF Champions League due to club licensing gap that led to the club’s suspension by FIFA.

All eyes will be on Gor to see who will be unveiled as McKinstry’s successor, but Rachier says the unveiling will be done at an appropriate time.  

“We don’t want a situation where we will have two head coaches at the same time. Once we release McKinstry, we will then name and unveil our new man in charge,” said the Chairman. 

McKinstry joined Gor Mahia in July, 2022 and had led the team to two consecutive FKF Premier League titles.

Before departing for Gambia two weeks ago, the Irishman said he will dearly miss Gor and that he was happy working with the Kenyan giants.

“I will surely miss Gor Mahia. I will closely follow their CAF Champions League campaign and will always wish them well,” said McKinstry earlier on.

Gor currently has four players featuring for national teams; Rooney Onyango, Benson Omalla and Austin Odhiambo are playing for Harambee Stars, while Patrick Sibomana is featuring for the Rwandese national team.

McKinstry previously coached the Uganda Cranes, as well as the Rwandese and Seychelles national sides.