Gambia: Independence Stadium gets green light for CHAN qualifier

Photo Credit: Gambia Football Federation

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has temporarily approved Gambia's Independence Stadium for their upcoming 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier. Gambia will be allowed to host Algeria in the stadium this coming May.

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) revealed it has been working to secure temporary approval for the Independence Stadium in the town of Bakau. A CAF technical team visited the stadium and granted approval for the GFF to host the first leg on May 2. The stadium had previously been banned by CAF for failing to meet the minimum requirements to stage a continental game.

Gambia previously hosted Gabon in Senegal due to the lack of a CAF-accredited stadium in the country. The new development will be warmly welcomed by Gambia’s A team coach, Alhagie Sarr, as he rallies his charges to push for a first-ever appearance at the CHAN finals. Sarr previously said that playing games away from home has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The senior Gambian national side has been using Ivorian stadiums to host FIFA World Cup qualifying games. Independence Stadium has not hosted a national team match since October 2021 when Gambia defeated South Sudan 2-1 in a friendly match.