2026 WCQ: “Gambia will translate energy in camp into Kenya game” - McKinstry

Photo Credit - Gambia Football Federation.

The Gambia national football team head coach Johnathan McKinstry has opened up on preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kenya on Thursday, March 20.

The Scorpions will host the Harambee Stars at the adopted Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast as the tiny nation does not have an approved venue by the Confederation of African Football.

The 39-year-old Northern Irish manager was appointed to replace Tom Saintfiet and he spoke about the positives in the team’s camp in an interview with the Gambia Football Federation media outlet.

“It is very lively in camp, the energy is there and what we’ve seen is that, the guys have been together for five months from November last the last time we were together," McKinstry told the Gambia Football Federation Media.

“So you can feel the energy that everyone is pleased to be back together, we are a big family and a sporting squad and we try to promote that, you know, the togetherness in the group.

“And yes so the energy has really been good and that has been transferred into the training and so yes this has been a really good start and hopefully we can carry that forward into the Kenya game.”

The Gambia’s chances of qualifying for the World looks quite slim as they are 5th in Group F with just three points from four matches. They will next play Ivory Coast on March 24 on match day six after clearing the Kenya hurdle.