Barrow, First Family Set to Cheer Scorpions in AFCON Opener

By Pa Modou Cham

BAKAU, September 25, 2026 — The Gambia’s Scorpions will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Friday afternoon when they host Somalia at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The highly anticipated Group C encounter is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. GMT, with the newly rehabilitated Independence Stadium set to welcome the national team back for a competitive home fixture.

President Adama Barrow and members of the First Family are expected to be at the stadium to support the Scorpions in their opening qualifier. The President had earlier pledged to attend the match, while reports indicate that he has also purchased tickets to encourage Gambians to turn out in large numbers for the national team.

The match carries added significance for Gambian football supporters as it marks the Scorpions’ return to the Independence Stadium for a competitive international fixture after several years away while the facility underwent rehabilitation. The team recently held its first training session at the stadium in five years.

Head coach Jonathan McKinstry has named a 25-man squad for the September qualifiers against Somalia and Ghana. Captain Omar Colley is expected to lead a squad that includes Ebou Adams, Ebrima Colley, Alieu Fadera, Sulieman Camara and Mohammed Badamosi.

The Scorpions, however, will be without several players who have been ruled out through injury, including Yankuba Minteh, Musa Barrow, Abdoulie Manneh and Adama Sidibeh.

Somalia’s Ocean Stars arrived in The Gambia earlier this week and have been preparing for what will be their opening Group C qualifier. They will be looking to secure points away from home before hosting Côte d’Ivoire in their second fixture on September 29.

For The Gambia, the opening fixture is the first of a demanding September double-header. Four days after the Somalia clash, the Scorpions will travel to Accra to face Ghana on September 29. The group also includes three-time African champions Côte d’Ivoire.

With the President and supporters expected to fill the stands, attention now turns to the Independence Stadium as the Scorpions seek to open their road to the 2027 AFCON finals on home soil.