An inspector from the Confederation of African Football Caf yesterday completed a tour of the Gambia’s national stadium, for possible approval to host international matches.
The stadium has not hosted international matches for well over five years, causing frustration among the public and embarrassment to the government which has spent hundreds of millions of dalasis in a major renovation project on the facility.
According to both government and Gambia football federation sources, the inspector, a Caf official from Senegal, toured the pitch, stands, dressing rooms, media galleries, roads around the stadium, health facilities in its environment among other places.
As usual, the inspector is expected to submit a report to Caf about his findings after which the continental governing body will determine whether to grant approval.
The Gambian public and authorities are hoping that this time the stadium will be approved, and sooner rather than later.
Already, The Gambia is schedule to host the Caf women club champions league qualifiers via the Wafu Zone A. This competition is scheduled to start on August 19, at the stadium, hence the urgent need for approval by Caf.
The country is also hungry to see the national team play in front of the home crowd.
A Caf approval will mean that the Scorpions’ home matches in the qualifiers for the next Afcon, starting in September, will be played at the stadium.