The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled that the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Gambia, will not be suitable to host the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match between Gambia and Comoros on November 15, 2024.
After an inspection of the stadium, CAF officials determined that the playing surface fails to meet the necessary standards for hosting a Category 3 CAF or FIFA match, which is required for AFCON qualifiers.
CAF’s evaluation of the newly refurbished stadium highlighted significant shortcomings in the field’s condition, which need addressing to bring it to international standards.
The verdict means that the crucial AFCON qualifier for Morocco 2025 will have to be relocated outside of the Gambia, dealing a setback to the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and local fans hoping to support their team on home soil.
CAF has pledged to assist the GFF by providing a pitch specialist consultant to advise on the required improvements, ensuring the stadium will be suitable for hosting future senior international matches.
This intervention aims to help the GFF work toward meeting the criteria for hosting CAF and FIFA-approved events in the future, allowing Gambian fans to witness international matches at home.
