#Sports

‘Players without clubs won’t be called to national team’

May 30, 2024, 12:56 PM | Article By: Lamin Gibba

New head coach of The Gambia senior national team, Johnathan McKinstry, has stated that players without clubs would not be called to the country’s national team.

"If you look my history I coached three national teams but I don't think I have ever called someone who didn't have a club,"Coach Mckinstry said.
Coach Mckinstry revealed that players need to be fit and should be playing regularly for their clubs, adding that they should be ready to compete.

‘‘Our primary objective is to win our upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier matches against Seychelles and Gabon.
‘‘We have short time for our matches against Seychelles and Gabon.

‘‘Our aim is to bring players together and that process has begun,’’ Coach Mckinstry pointed out.

Coach Mckinstry noted that he spoke to about 40 to 45 players who have been involved in the national team over the past years and some young players who were successful with the U-20 team last year.

‘‘We are communicating with the players, they know my style and what I expect from them.
‘‘We want to move forward.

‘‘We also want to improve to win our matches,’’ Coach Mckinstry said.
McKinstry revealed that there would be evolution in the team, adding that the team did well over the last five years.

‘‘I am never afraid of incorporating young players. We expect players to perform at their best,’’ Coach Mckinstry said.

Coach Mckinstry named the likes of Mahamadou Bajo, Alagie Saine, Adama Bojang and Yankuba Minted as all great young players who are forcing their way into the senior national team.
Coach Mckinstry revealed that he was going to name his squad later in the week, adding that some young players are going to get the opportunity to play for the senior national team.