Ghana’s road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has become more challenging after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted provisional approval to The Gambia’s Independence Stadium in Bakau to host competitive international matches.
The decision clears the way for the Scorpions to return to their traditional home venue after spending several years playing international fixtures at neutral grounds in Morocco and Senegal because of a stadium ban.
The development is particularly important for Ghana, who have been placed in Group C of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside The Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Somalia.
With the Independence Stadium provisionally approved, the Black Stars are now expected to face The Gambia in Banjul rather than at a neutral venue, presenting an additional challenge as Ghana seeks to secure qualification from a competitive group.
The 30,000-capacity Independence Stadium has undergone extensive renovation works financed by the Gambian government. The improvements have reportedly included upgrades to the playing surface, dressing rooms, floodlighting and media facilities as part of efforts to bring the venue up to CAF’s required standards.
CAF inspectors have provisionally cleared the stadium to host senior competitive fixtures, giving The Gambia the opportunity to reclaim the home advantage it lost during the period of the ban.
For Ghana, the return of competitive football to Banjul adds another dimension to the qualifiers, particularly because The Gambia are expected to receive strong support from their home fans when the Scorpions welcome visiting teams.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face The Gambia twice during the qualifying campaign, with the first meeting set for September 27–29, 2026, in Ghana, before the return fixture in The Gambia on March 28, 2027.
The Gambia Football Federation is hoping the return to Bakau will provide a significant boost to the national team as it begins its campaign to secure a place at the continental showpiece.
However, the stadium’s approval is not yet permanent. CAF is expected to deploy matchday inspectors during the opening fixtures to assess the venue’s structural safety, crowd management arrangements and overall operational standards.
The outcome of those inspections will determine whether the Independence Stadium receives full certification to continue hosting competitive international matches.
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