Head coach of The Gambia’s National Men’s Football Team, Johnathan McKinstry says beating Ghana wasn’t a surprise for him despite the big win coming away from home.
The Gambia stormed back from a two goal deficit to clinch a 4-2 win over Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Gambia have maximum points after Somalia in a previous qualification game.
Despite conceding twice in six minutes, The Gambia tied the game before half time after scoring twice in five minutes in response and after shocking the four time African champions, McKinstry had a nonchalant response.
“My love for African football began in Ghana so whilst I’ve been away for a long time, I still know people here, I still look on football here even at club level. Maybe that also helped a little bit-with the win- because beyond the tactics, I sort of had an understanding of the culture a little bit of Ghanaian football.”
☑️ Full-time in Accra📍
🇬🇭 Ghana 2️⃣-4️⃣ Gambia 🇬🇲#BlackStars | #AFCON2027Q
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 29, 2026
“When it went to 2-2, I had a feeling how the Black Stars might react in terms of the game might become less controlled then we will have our opportunities…so to win the game doesn’t necessary surprise me.”
“Getting a fourth goal in the end was incredibly pleasing. To be able to enjoy the few minutes was very pleasing” McKinstry said.
