Johnathan McKinstry has signed a new two-year contract as the Gambia senior national team head coach, starting on June 1st, 2026. This was announced by the Ministry of Sports on Wednesday morning.

He became the head coach of the Scorpions in January 2024, after the legendary coach Tom Saintfeit left. Since then, McKinstry has led the team in 20 international matches, achieving 7 wins, 5 draws, and 8 defeats.

The technician from Northern Ireland will continue to lead the Gambia national team through 2028. Sources from both the Ministry of Sports and the Gambia Football Federation indicate that the contract was finalised last week and is currently awaiting signatures from the relevant parties, including the coach himself.

McKinstry’s immediate goal will be to secure Gambia’s qualification for a third AFCON finals, with the qualifiers set to kick off in September. Gambia has been drawn into Group C alongside the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Somalia.