Ghanas 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign has taken a tougher turn after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted provisional approval to The Gambias Independence Stadium in Bakau.The decision allows the Scorpions to return to home soil after a multi-year stadium ban forced them to host international matches at neutral venues in Morocco and Senegal.The development is particularly significant for Ghana, who have been drawn alongside The Gambia, Cte dIvoire and Somalia in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers.The Black Stars will now have to prepare for a potentially hostile atmosphere when they travel to Banjul, rather than facing The Gambia at a neutral venue.The 30,000-capacity stadium has undergone extensive renovations funded by the Gambian government, with upgrades made to the pitch, dressing rooms, floodlights and media facilities.CAF inspectors have provisionally cleared the venue to host senior competitive matches, restoring The Gambias home advantage ahead of the qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in September.For Ghana, the return of the Scorpions to Banjul adds another layer of difficulty to an already competitive group.Their two group fixtures are scheduled for September 2729, 2026 (in Ghana) for the first meeting, and March 28, 2027 (in Gambia) for the return fixture.The Gambia Football Federation is hoping the homecoming will provide a significant boost, with passionate local support expected to create a challenging environment for visiting teams.However, the approval remains provisional. CAF will deploy matchday inspectors to assess structural safety, crowd management and operational standards during the opening fixtures before deciding whether to grant permanent certification.
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