But for my part, the players I have worked with have
been very talented, and eager to learn. So combine
that with the level of fitness that many possess, as
well as the intensity many are able to play the game
at, having grown up playing nothing but football
every day, then you have the ingredients for success
on the field.
.
However, it is unfortunate to say, that often the
problem holding various nations within Africa back
from further success is not found on the pitch. It is
found in the boardrooms, and corridors of the
associations and governments who are responsible
for football. There are some very good people
working in football in Africa, who want nothing but the
best for their nations. But there are others whose
primary objective is not the success of the team – it is
more personally focused for them. And this can at
times get in the way of what you are trying to
achieve.
As a coach at international level in Africa you need to
be more than a tactician. You need to be a mediator.
If you can bring together all parts of the ‘footballing
family’ that surrounds the national team in whatever
environment you are in; and get them working
Coach McKinstry with his Staff and the Leone
Stars: Coach McKinstry poses with his Coaching
Staff and members of the Leone Stars after a
training session
A proud moment for Coach McKinstry as he
poses with young graduates of the Craig
Bellamy Foundation Academy
Interview with the BBC: Coach McKinstry being
Interviewed by Local BBC Sports correspondent
Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Coach McKinstry With Sierra Leone great Mohamed Kallon
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