Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The government of The Gambia has distanced itself from the Gambia Football Federation’s optimistic announcement on the resumption of competitions at the Independence Stadium, citing outstanding works and absent CAF clearance.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has moved to clarify public confusion over the planned return of the Scorpions to Independence Stadium, confirming that the rehabilitated facility remains unfit for international matches and that no official authorization was ever granted for fixtures to be held there in June 2026.
The ministry, in a statement, comes in response to an earlier announcement by the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) that the national team would return to the Banjul stadium next month, a claim the government has now firmly distanced itself from.
“Any earlier announcement by the Gambia Football Federation suggesting that the stadium would host international matches in June was made prematurely and without formal clearance from the competent authorities responsible for the facility,” the ministry said.
What Remains Unfinished
While the ministry acknowledged that significant progress has been made, particularly on the football pitch and main stadium infrastructure, it was candid that critical works are still outstanding.
Chief among these is the installation of the new athletics track and its associated finishing works, a technical requirement that must be completed before the Confederation of African Football (CAF) can carry out its final inspection and grant approval for international matches.
Until CAF signs off, the stadium simply cannot legally or officially host competitive continental fixtures, regardless of how much of the broader construction project has been completed.
A Premature Announcement
The sequence of events raises uncomfortable questions about coordination between the GFF and the government ministries responsible for the stadium.
The federation’s public announcement appears to have created expectations among fans, and potentially scheduled logistical commitments, without the foundational clearance that should have preceded any such declaration.
The ministry was pointed in its language, making clear that no confirmation or authorization was issued from its end, placing responsibility for the confusion squarely with the federation.
Fans Left Waiting
For Gambian football supporters, the clarification is a fresh disappointment. The Scorpions have been unable to play competitive home matches at Independence Stadium for an extended period due to the ongoing renovation, forcing the national team to seek neutral venues for fixtures that would ordinarily be played on home soil, surrendering both the financial and psychological advantages of a home crowd.
The ministry acknowledged the frustration directly, saying it “understands the disappointment of Gambian football fans” and pledged to accelerate the remaining works in coordination with the contractor, consultants, and relevant stakeholders.
The government says it remains committed to ensuring the stadium meets all required international standards before reopening. The Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure is jointly involved in overseeing the project’s completion alongside the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
In the meantime, the Scorpions are set to play an international friendly against Iran, a match that will, once again, not be played at home.
There is no confirmed timeline for when Independence Stadium will be ready.
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