The Gambia marked their long-awaited return to home soil with a 2-1 victory over Somalia in their opening Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on Friday, September 25.
The win gives the Scorpions three points ahead of their trip to Accra to face Ghana on Tuesday, September 29.
The match was The Gambia’s first at the Independence Stadium in more than five years. The venue had been unavailable due to renovation work, with their last game there coming in March 2021. Their last match in front of home supporters was in November 2019.
The Scorpions marked their return with a winning start to their qualifying campaign, while continuing their recent run of scoring form.
The result leaves The Gambia on three points after the opening round, while the Black Stars started their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24.
The Black Stars will host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29. Ghana will be looking to bounce back from their defeat in Côte d’Ivoire, while The Gambia arrive in Accra with confidence after securing three points in their opening game.
Under CAF’s qualification format, each team plays six group matches. In groups without a co-host, the top two teams qualify for the 2027 AFCON, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
