Sierra Leone National Team

Head Coach Johnny McKinstry speaks with the Team [Leone Stars Training Camp in advance of Tunisia Game, June 2013 (Pic: Darren McKinstry)]

Coach McKinstry and the Leone Stars have begun a one week training camp to prepare for their World Cup qualifier this weekend (8 June 2013) against Tunisia.

 

Leone Stars Head Coach Johnny McKinstry [Leone Stars Training Camp in advance of Tunisia Game, June 2013 (Pic: Darren McKinstry)]The game is the first in charge for Coach McKinstry who was appointed in April 2013. He has named a 24-man squad, which includes some new faces alongside established regulars.

Coach McKinsty commented "My staff and I are looking forward to the game this coming saturday after what has been a good week on the training ground with the players.  Naturally there has been a bit of ‘getting to know you’ for the staff, as well as the players, but I am pleased at how things have gone.  The team have had a very positive work ethic and are training well.  Team discipline and morale is good...."

 

"Over the last number of days we have been working on a number of things in training with the players - some of it new, and they have taken to our approach very well, and I think that will stand us in good stead come Saturday."  

 

George 'kweku' Davis [Leone Stars Training Camp in advance of Tunisia Game, June 2013 (Pic: Darren McKinstry)]"We have also added a few new faces to the group, many of whom I know will give the supporters something extra to get excited about come kick off this weekend.  Make no doubt about it, this is a big game for both ourselves and Tunisia and I am looking forward to seeing the fans out in support.  We will be going all out for the 3 points, and I am certain that come full-time that the supporters will have seen a performance befitting Sierra Leone."

 

 

 

 

Preparation Highlights

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Notes to Editors

  1. The game is a World Cup 2013 Qualifier against Tunisia on 8 June 2013
  2. The game is the first in charge for Coach McKinstry who was appointed in April 2013.
  3. See www.johnnymckinstry.com for a range of information - biography, press releases and photographs for press use.
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About Coach McKinstry

Coach McKinstry is a UEFA Pro Licensed Football Coach, with a number of successes across his 20+ year career to date.    He is currently Head Coach of the Gambia National Team and Head Coach of Gor Mahia FC in Kenya (2022-24) where he won two Kenya Premier League titles (2023-24, 2022-23), and the 2023-24 Kenya Charity Shield, returning the club to the top of Kenyan football.

As Head Coach of the Uganda National Team, (2019 - 2021) he led Uganda to win CECAFA 2019 and delivered a win from 2 in every 3 games, going undefeated in 8 in evey 10 games.  This represented the highest 'win' and 'undefeated' rate achieved by a Uganda National Team Coach in over 15 years.

He was Head Coach of the Rwanda National Football Team (2015-16). Within 17 months he led Rwanda to a number of highs - including their first ever appearance in the knockout stages of a major international tournament (Quarter-finals of CHAN, Jan 2016) and finished runner-up in CECAFA (Dec 2105), being named 'Coach of the Tournament' for his efforts. 

Across 2013-14, he was Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Men's Football team. Within just over a year, he had led Sierra Leone to their highest ever FIFA World and African rankings - 7th in Africa and 50th in the World (August 2014). 

He has also been Head Coach of Saif Sporting Club, Bangladesh Premier League (2018-19); and FK Kauno Zalgiris, Lithuanian A-Lyga (2017-18).   

Coach McKinstry is a European (UEFA), American (NSCAA) and university qualified football coach and a member of Common Goal.

Quotes: What the media say

  • Leone Stars shine with purpose... what is even more remarkable is what the young Northern Irishman has done ... the Leone Stars are ranked 50th in the world and seventh in Africa – higher than they have ever been.

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    fifa.com
  • McKinstry has come close to a giant killing before, when his Sierra Leone side came within half an hour of defeating Herve Renard’s Cote d’Ivoire.

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    Ed Dove Goal.com
  • The figures do not lie. The six matches on McKinstry’s watch have been World Cup or Cup of Nations qualifiers. They have lost one.

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    the guardian
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