GFF Raises Concerns Over Security, Training Facilities Ahead of Ghana Clash

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has raised concerns over the arrangements surrounding the Scorpions’ stay in Ghana ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Black Stars.

The concerns reportedly include the absence of a police escort for the Gambian delegation during movements from the airport to the hotel and between the hotel and training venue. The matter has been raised with the match commissioner, with the GFF seeking clarification over the security arrangements provided to the visiting team.

The reported concerns come hours before The Gambia faces Ghana in a Group C encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. GMT. The Gambia opened its qualifying campaign with a 2–1 victory over Somalia, while Ghana suffered a 2–0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening match.

Dressing-room access also questioned

The GFF has also reportedly raised concerns over the Scorpions’ training arrangements in Accra.

According to reports, the Gambian delegation encountered problems accessing the dressing-room facilities at the training venue, with the doors reportedly locked when the team arrived. The alleged incident has prompted further questions from the Gambian football authorities over the facilities made available to the visiting side.

The reports have not been independently confirmed by CAF or the Ghana Football Association. A report published on September 28 cited claims that the Gambian team had been denied dressing-room access, while also noting that accounts of the security arrangements differed. A Ghanaian journalist cited in the report disputed some of the allegations, saying Ghanaian officials had provided an escort to the hotel and assisted Gambian media representatives.

The GFF is reportedly preparing to take the matter further by submitting a formal complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the incidents.

The match commissioner for Tuesday’s fixture is Liberia’s Sekou Wieh Konneh, while Moroccan referee Mustapha Kechchaf has been appointed to officiate the encounter.

Scorpions focused on the game

Despite the reported concerns, the Gambian technical team has maintained its focus on the match.

Assistant coach Abdou Jammeh said the Scorpions have spent the past several days preparing for the Ghana test and are targeting a positive result.

“We’re looking forward to a good, positive result tomorrow,” Jammeh said.

The Scorpions arrive in Accra with three points from their opening match, while Ghana are under pressure to respond after their defeat in Côte d’Ivoire.

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has called on his players to improve their finishing and maintain possession as they seek their first points of the campaign. Ghana will also be without captain Alexander Djiku, who has been ruled out after sustaining an injury against Côte d’Ivoire.

For The Gambia, the immediate task is to put the off-field concerns aside and concentrate on securing another positive result in Group C.

The Scorpions will be without several key players, including Yankuba Minteh, Musa Barrow, Abdoulie Manneh and Adama Sidibeh, but captain Omar Colley is expected to lead the team in what promises to be a fiercely contested West African encounter.

With both sides carrying different levels of pressure into the fixture, attention will now turn to the Accra Sports Stadium, where The Gambia will attempt to build on its winning start while Ghana looks to revive its qualifying campaign on home soil.