GOAL: Rwanda coach Johnny McKinstry talks Ghana, tactics & stopping Andre Ayew

The Amavubi coach spoke to Goal ahead of the Wasps’ Afcon 2017 qualifying encounter with Avram Grant’s Black Stars
The Amavubi coach spoke to Goal ahead of the Wasps’ Afcon 2017 qualifying encounter with Avram Grant’s Black Stars
Lisburn, Newcastle, Ghana, New York, Sierra Leone and Rwanda so far.
"You’re in at the deep end, you don’t know what to expect really and you have to think on your feet. I’m that way inclined, I love new cultures, new people and working with people."
The Ebola virus derailed the young manager's incredible work in Sierra Leone but he's eager to conjure something similar in a new country.
Coach McKinstry arrives in Rwanda and immediately sets out his plans and hopes for the Amavubi.
Coach McKinstry joins Jacqui Oatley and co-hosts on ITV to present AFCON 2015 to soccer fans in the UK.
Treated as pariahs after the outbreak of disease at home, could Sierra Leone’s footballers provide joy at a time of hysteria?
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You can read more about Coach McKinstry's:
Coach McKinstry is a UEFA Pro Licensed Football Coach. As Head Coach of the Uganda National Team, the 'Uganda Cranes' (2019 - 2021) he delivered a WIN from 2 in every 3 games and went undefeated in over 8 in every 10 games played. This represented the highest 'win' and 'undefeated' rate achieved by a Uganda National Team Coach in over 15 years. In his first 3 months in charge, he had led Uganda to win CECAFA 2019; had put Uganda top of their AFCON qualification group; and secured 9 wins and 1 draw from his first 10 games. In winning CECAFA 2019, Uganda did so by winning all six of their matches, only the second time in Uganda's history that they had done so by winning every game they played in the tournament. In AFCON qualifiers, under his management Uganda were the only team of all 48 nations competing to have conceded zero goals from open play.
He was International Manager and Head Coach of the Rwanda National Football Team (2015-16). Within just 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.
He was Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Men's Football team (2013-14). 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 was Head Coach of Saif Sporting Club, Bangladesh Premier League (2018-19); and FK Kauno Zalgiris, Lithuanian A-Lyga (2017-18). He is a European (UEFA), American (NSCAA) and university qualified football coach.
Coach McKinstry is a member of 'Common Goal'. Together members seek to support high-impact organisations that harness the power of football to advance the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.