Departing Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has expressed confidence in securing maximum points when his new employer Gambia will be facing Kenyan national team Harambee stars.

He acknowledged his long-term hope for the Harambee stars success but stressed the immediate competitive nature of their upcoming encounters.

While he remains confident of beating Kenya, he in the meantime extended his best wishes to the stars, particularly the players he coached in the upcoming matches against Burundi and Ivory coast.

“In the long term, I hope to see the Kenya national team and especially the players that I have worked with do well,” he said.

“However, in the short term, that isn’t my objective because Gambia and Kenya are in the same qualifying group. So, it won’t be long until I’m back here in the away dugout , hopefully at Kasarani once it is renovated,” he added.

McKinstry emphasized that he won’t wish the Kenyan team well in the coming months due to their direct rivalry.

“I wish Harambee stars all the very best. I understand its a challenging job. And yeah, I hope they win six of their eight remaining world cup qualifiers. But am sorry to tell you I intend to take six points when I come back with Gambia,” he concluded.

The Gambia national team officially confirmed that McKinstry will be their head coach for a two years deal.

McKinstry will be tasked with the tough task of turning the Gambia’s fortunes, with the team currently struggling at the international stage. As they have failed to secure a win in their last six games.