The Gambia will return to playing their home matches at the Independence Stadium in Bakau after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) lifted its two-year ban on the venue.
This comes ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Comoros on November 15, 2024.
The stadium had been banned due to poor infrastructure and an inadequate pitch but has undergone extensive renovations, including improvements to the stands, scoreboard, and dressing rooms, as well as the addition of media and medical sections.
Since the ban in 2022, the Gambia’s national football team, the Scorpions, have been forced to play home matches in Morocco and Senegal.
Fans were disheartened by the loss of home-field advantage, but the long-awaited return to Independence Stadium is expected to reignite local passion and enthusiasm for the team.
Gambia’s last match at the stadium was in March 2021 when they secured their first-ever AFCON qualification by beating Angola.
Now, with the stadium ready to host international games again, the Scorpions are hoping to boost their chances of qualifying for AFCON 2025.
Gambia rrently sit on 5 points in Group A, with Tunisia, Madagascar, and Comoros as their opponents.
