34 Year Old Irishman Named Uganda Cranes Head Coach

By Max Patrick Ocaido 

A 34 year old Northern Irishman has Monday morning been officially unveiled as Uganda Cranes head coach. Johnny Mckinstry was today unveiled at Fufa House in Mengo. Mckinstry replaces Frenchman Sebastien Desabre, after beating former Cameroon coach Hugo Broos and Belgian Luk Eyamel. Desabre resigned after the Cranes’ Round of 16 elimination in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations that ended in July.

Mckinstry who was unveiled by Fufa first vice president Justus Mugisha and now acting Fufa President, has been given a three year deal as the head coach effective October 1st, 2019.

Born on 16th July 1985, Mckinsitry was Head Coach of Bangladesh Football Premier League team Saif SC. Previously McKinstry managed the Rwanda national team, the Sierra Leone national team and Kauno Žalgiris in the A Lyga. Whilst in charge of Sierra Leone, McKinstry was the youngest international manager in the world at 27 years old.

Mckinstry officially parted ways with Saif SC on 30th, September 2019 (today) and in his tribute, the Irishman thanks the Club, staff, players and fans for their commitment during his time as head coach.

"While the time has come for me to explore new opportunities outside of Bangladesh, the relationships i have made in Dhaka and Mymensingh will last for many years to come," Mckinstry. 

He comes at a time when Moses Magogo, Fufa President has temporally stepped down for 2months to allow Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) investigate his role in alleged sale of World Cup tickets.

This was after Makindye West MP and Shadow Minister for Sports in Parliament Allan Ssewanyana in 2017 petitioned FIFA, arguing that Magogo was involved in the illicit trading of the 2014 World Cup tickets that were designated for Ugandans, by FIFA and that this was in violation and breach of the FIFA statutes, FIFA Code of Ethics and FIFA Disciplinary Code.