The Head coach of the Sierra Leone national team, Johnny McKinstry and his backroom staff have been sacked by both the Sports Ministry and Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA).
The dismissal of the Irish coach came few weeks after the national team, Leone Stars poor run in their two opening matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of National qualifiers losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Abidjan and 2-0 to DR Congo in Lubumbashi. Sierra Leone currently sits at the bottom of Group D in the qualifiers without a single point.
The dismissal of the Irish coach came few weeks after the national team, Leone Stars poor run in their two opening matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of National qualifiers losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Abidjan and 2-0 to DR Congo in Lubumbashi. Sierra Leone currently sits at the bottom of Group D in the qualifiers without a single point.
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According to the Deputy Sports minister, Al Sankoh an assessment was done on the coaches performance from his first match which was the 2014 World Cup qualifying match between Sierra Leone and Tunisia before a decision was taken to relieve him from the job. “Decision for his sacking was due to poor game records and the unhealthy relationship between him and the players.”
Since his appointment on April 11 McKinstry oversaw the Leone Stars in eight matches winning only three, with two draws and three defeats. His poor relationship with players could be simply traced to that of Azerbaijan based attacking midfielder Gibrilla Julius Woobay who recently expressed his disappointment with the coach following his second axe from the team before the DR Congo match.
However, both the Ministry and SLFA are remaining tight lipped about who will replace the now departed Irish coach, but it is rumored in both offices that there are three names in consideration; John Sama, Lamin Bangura and Atto Mensah-all former players of the national team.
McKinstry became the youngest active Head Coach in international football at age 27 following his Sierra Leone appointment. His achievement is surpassed only by former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Manager Andre Villas-Boas who was 22 when he led the British Virgin Islands.
His term as coach saw Sierra Leone move to the highest position in the history of FIFA ranking of 7th in Africa and 50th in the World.
Since his appointment on April 11 McKinstry oversaw the Leone Stars in eight matches winning only three, with two draws and three defeats. His poor relationship with players could be simply traced to that of Azerbaijan based attacking midfielder Gibrilla Julius Woobay who recently expressed his disappointment with the coach following his second axe from the team before the DR Congo match.
However, both the Ministry and SLFA are remaining tight lipped about who will replace the now departed Irish coach, but it is rumored in both offices that there are three names in consideration; John Sama, Lamin Bangura and Atto Mensah-all former players of the national team.
McKinstry became the youngest active Head Coach in international football at age 27 following his Sierra Leone appointment. His achievement is surpassed only by former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Manager Andre Villas-Boas who was 22 when he led the British Virgin Islands.
His term as coach saw Sierra Leone move to the highest position in the history of FIFA ranking of 7th in Africa and 50th in the World.
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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