The first leg of the CHAN 2025 qualifier between Gambia and Gabon will proceed as planned on Friday, February 28, despite last-minute logistical challenges faced by the Gabonese delegation.
Initially scheduled for Thursday, the match was postponed by 24 hours due to difficulties in securing flights to Senegal, where the fixture will be held.
However, after further discussions between both teams and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it was decided that the match would go ahead on Friday at a later-than-usual kickoff time of 20:30 GMT.
Gabon’s Travel Complications Delay Fixture
The uncertainty surrounding the fixture arose when Gabon struggled to arrange transportation to Senegal, which serves as the neutral venue for the encounter.
With limited options available, CAF agreed to reschedule the match by a day to accommodate the visiting team’s arrival.
However, the Gambian side was unwilling to extend its stay in Senegal beyond the agreed timeframe, prompting CAF to uphold the revised match date while setting the later kickoff time.
This decision ensures that the game remains on track without further disruption to the tournament schedule.
A crucial encounter in CHAN qualification
The CHAN (African Nations Championship) is a prestigious competition reserved for players competing in their respective domestic leagues.
Both Gambia and Gabon are aiming to secure a place in the next round, with the second leg set to take place on March 8.
For Gambia, playing in Senegal provides a slight advantage, as the team is more familiar with the conditions and has strong support from local fans.
Meanwhile, Gabon will need to overcome its travel struggles and adapt quickly if it hopes to secure a favorable result ahead of the return leg.
CAF’s firm stance on match scheduling
CAF’s decision to proceed with the match on Friday despite Gabon’s travel issues highlights the governing body’s strict stance on scheduling and tournament integrity.
With a packed calendar of fixtures across African competitions, CAF is keen to avoid further delays that could impact subsequent rounds of the CHAN qualifiers.
Both teams will now shift their focus to the on-field action as they vie for a crucial first-leg advantage.
The outcome of this match will set the tone for the return fixture, where a place in the next stage of CHAN 2025 qualification will be at stake.
