By Lamin Cham
Following the granting of a provisional approval to host matches at the Independence Stadium, more than five years since The Gambia national team last played there, there is a palpable feeling of excitement in the air with the public, government officials and The Gambia Football Federation all celebrating.
However, the country has still some work to do to completely come out of the stadium quagmire that has caused much frustration to the nation.
For a start, a Caf (Confederation of African Football) provisional approval of stadia is a temporary clearance given by the continental body allowing a national venue — such as The Gambia’s Independence Stadium — to host international matches and qualifiers before full, permanent certification is finalised.
It permits the country to host specific upcoming Caf-sanctioned matches or international tournaments on home soil after initial renovation or documentation reviews.
It is also granted based on submitted evidence like photos and videos of upgrades, or a preliminary physical check and Caf inspectors typically monitor upcoming match-day operations, organisational standards, and stadium facilities in person before awarding permanent approval.
Next steps to full approval
Under the terms, Caf officials will visit the ground during live match conditions to evaluate security, pitch quality, media areas, and facilities and local federations and ministry teams must maintain high standards for pre-match and match day execution.
Finally, once the physical inspection satisfies all international guidelines, the temporary status upgrades to full, long-term approval.