Today 30th September 2020, marks exactly one year since Johnathan Mckinstry took over as Uganda Cranes head coach from French man Sebastein Desabre.
Coach Johnathan McKinstry giving instructions to players during a training session for the CHAN team at GEMS Cambridge play ground, Butabika
Following a convincing 2019 TOTAL Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt that saw the Uganda Cranes proudly bow out in the round of 16, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Executive Committee agreed to have a change in the technical department.
Johnathan McKinstry was warmly welcomed by FUFA CEO Edgar Watson at FUFA Headquarters in Mengo – Kampala.
Fast forward, hundreds of coaches openly expressed interest in the job.
Northern Irish born coach, a holder of UEFA Pro License Jonathan McKinstry beat a big field and stiff competition to earn the job after resigning from Bangaladesh club Saif FC.
On Sunday, 13th October 2019, he officially began his tenure on a winning note defeating Ethiopia 0-1 at Bahir Dar Stadium – thanks to a goal by Emmanuel Arnold Okwi.
Uganda Cranes players lift head coach Johnathan McKinstry after lifting the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in 2019 at the Star Times Stadium, Lugogo in Kampala
The victory away in Ethiopia set a firm foundation as he has won 9 of the 10 matches played thus far, drawing once with no game lost yet with the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup trophy in the pouch as well.
Out of the ten games, the Uganda Cranes have scored 20 goals with 8 coming in the first half while 12 have come in the second half.
Two goals have been conceded under his helm against Burundi and Djibouti both in the 2019 CECAFA tournament.
His biggest highlight so far at the helm is winning the 2019 CECAFA senior challenge cup were the Cranes beat Eritrea 3-0 thanks to Bright Anukani, Mustafa Kizza and Joel Madondo strikes.
McKinstry works alongside a committed team of former Uganda Cranes internationals; Abdallah Mubiru (first assistant), Charles Livingstone Mbazazi (second assistant) and Fred Kajoba Kisitu (Goalkeeping coach) as well as Alexander McCarthy (Trainer) and Geofrey Massa (Team coordinator)
Uganda Cranes will be traveling to Dubai for a training camp (6th – 13th October 2020) as a precursor for the AFCON 2021 double header against South Sudan in November 2020.
Summary of Jonathan Mckinstry matches so far as Uganda Cranes head coach.
Ethiopia vs Uganda Cranes- 0-1 (International friendly)
Uganda 3-0 Burundi (CHAN qualifiers)
Burkina Faso 0-0 Uganda (AFCON qualifiers)
Uganda 2-0 Malawi (AFCON qualifiers)
Uganda 2-1 Burundi (CECAFA)
Uganda 2-0 Somalia (CECAFA)
Uganda 2-0 Eritrea (CECAFA)
Uganda 4-1 Djibouti (CECAFA)
Uganda 1-0 Tanzania (CECAFA)
Uganda 3-0 Eritrea (CECAFA)
Happy first anniversary Jonny.