Former Gor Mahia coach on why Gambia's defence allowed ex-Arsenal star to score four goals

The Gambia head coach, Jonathan McKinstry, has elaborated on why his team conceded four goals to former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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The Scorpions hosted the Panthers of Gabon in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday, 10 October, with the latter emerging with a 4-3 victory.

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The Gambia opted to host the game in Kenya as they lack a FIFA-approved stadium to stage their matches on home soil.

Aubameyang, who currently turns out for Olympique Marseille, was the star of the match, finding the back of the net four times before being sent off in the latter stages of the match for a second bookable offense.

McKinstry attributed the former Barcelona striker's haul to his young defense line of Alagie Saine, James Gomez and teenage sensation Abubacarr Kinteh.

“Three of my defenders were young and are destined to be top players, but it was the first time they were playing a striker like Aubameyang, who will always find those gaps against a defense that has not played together for long,” said the Northern Irishman.

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The former Gor Mahia coach also acknowledged the prowess of the former Chelsea man in front of goal.

“There is no doubt that he (Aubameyang) is a top player. In the first leg, he scored one, and we largely shut him down. Today, he faced a defense that had not played together and punished us for that.

Maybe if it was another striker, they would not take these chances. Going into the next campaign, my players are going to improve from these bitter experiences,” he stated.

Nevertheless, the 40-year-old chose to draw valuable lessons from the defeat.

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“Again, no one likes to lose, but the best lessons are the bitter ones, and so some of our young guys have learnt, and the best way for them is to come against world-class strikers and get punished for the smallest of mistakes.”

Further, the former Uganda Cranes head coach heaped praise on his own striker, Adama Sidibeh, who scored a brace for his team.

“Adama is a player who never gives up and works so hard for the team. He works as many as five players in one. Those were his fourth and fifth goals for the national team, and I am pleased for him,” he concluded.