Ambitious McKinstry reveals Gor Mahia's plan to qualify for CAF Champions League

Photo credit || Gor Mahia

FOOTBALL Ambitious McKinstry reveals Gor Mahia's plan to qualify for CAF Champions League

Mark Kinyanjui 19:00 - 15.07.2023

McKinstry has revealed his mega plan to help Gor Mahia reach at least the Champions League group stage for the first time in its history.

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has revealed his plans to make the team ready and competitive enough to not only retain the FKF Premier League title but also to go far in the CAF Champions League next season.

McKinstry has also discussed the pressures of managing Gor Mahia, a team whose DNA has been wired to win.

“The pressure is always there to win. It does not matter whether you have twenty-star players or twenty youth team players. When you put on that green jersey, the expectation is for you to not just win, but also win well,” McKinstry told KTN News.

“In that sense, it is no different to players who play for Real Madrid or Manchester United. It does not matter whether it is a high or low moment. You have to go out and perform. The fans expect a performance.”

McKinstry joined the club during one of “the most difficult periods in the last decade” after being given a three-window transfer ban. The ban was imposed on them as a result of former players taking them to FIFA for failing to pay their dues.

The Northern Irish coach has described his objective as “an initial two year process”  that resulted in the title being delivered “a year earlier”.

“I came in eyes opened. The chairman told me that I was joining Gor in one of the club’s most difficult periods in the last two decades. I believed in what I could do even if it was a young team. The championship has come a year early. 

“It was a two year project for us to get back to the heights, but the energy from both the coaching staff and players gave me belief that maybe we could do it in year one.”

McKinstry has revealed plans to assemble a  strong squad for the 2023/2024 season, especially given the club stands no chance of taking part in the CAF Confederation Cup next season following a directive by CAF to scrap the playoff round of the competition.

The directive saw teams knocked out of the Champions League second preliminary round drop to the second tier club competition. 

“We need to get the balance right. I am not saying we will not go into the transfer market now, we are, but we are just looking at bringing five to six quality players, but on the same side, I am telling the executive that not only do I want these top players, but I want them to lock down these young talents on four or five-year contracts.

“To be successful, you need at least 16 players who are really competitively competing for the starting XI. We expect 16 to 18 players who no matter who starts in the eleven will be comfortable. The other six to seven will be development players who will be key in the next two to three years.

“ If we do that, we can reach the group stages of the Champions League (minimum).”