The stage is set for a dramatic football reunion in Morocco as The Gambia, now coached by former Uganda Cranes tactician Johnathan McKinstry, prepares to face the Cranes in a high-stakes international friendly on June 9, 2025. McKinstry, who briefly managed Uganda during the pandemic-hit era, will finally have the opportunity to face the team he once led — a narrative-rich encounter that adds emotional intensity to the upcoming clash.
Appointed at the tail end of 2024, McKinstry took over The Gambia with a vision to revamp their football fortunes. His coaching journey with Uganda was abruptly disrupted during the COVID-19 period, denying him the full opportunity to implement his long-term plans. Despite a promising start after moving from Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars, his tenure with the Cranes was short-lived. After parting ways with the Ugandan federation, he took charge of Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, leading them to back-to-back league triumphs and reestablishing his continental coaching credentials.
The Uganda Cranes, under new stewardship, have named a 28-man squad for their June friendlies in Morocco. The squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting prospects, including European-based stars such as Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux), Elio Capradossi (AS Cittadella), and Jordan Obita (Hibernian). Also notable are the call-ups of APR FC duo Dennis Omedi and Hakim Kiwanuka, as Uganda gears up to sharpen its squad ahead of the upcoming competitive fixtures.
Uganda will first lock horns with Cameroon on June 6, before squaring off against McKinstry’s Gambia on June 9 — a fixture that is more than just a warm-up. For McKinstry, it’s a return to familiar terrain, facing players he once nurtured and a system he briefly influenced. The emotional and tactical subtext of the match is palpable, as the Irishman looks to outwit his former side and cement his new legacy with The Gambia.
As anticipation builds, fans are keen to see how the Cranes will respond to the challenge posed by their former mentor. Will familiarity give McKinstry an edge, or will Uganda prove that their evolution since his departure has yielded dividends? Only time — and the heat of battle in Morocco — will tell.
