By: Madi Seneghore
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has reaffirmed the promotion and relegation format for the Regional Third Division and National Second Division leagues, saying the structure approved by its Executive Committee before the start of the season is aimed at enhancing competitiveness, club development and the integrity of domestic football.
Under the system, Third Division competitions in all seven Regional Football Associations (RFAs) are divided into two groups. The winners of each group automatically qualify for the regional playoff semifinals, while teams finishing second to fifth will compete in crossover quarterfinals for the remaining semifinal places.
The eventual regional champions will qualify for the National Second Division promotion playoffs.
The GFF said the revised format provides a clearer pathway for clubs seeking promotion while ensuring that league positions remain competitive throughout the season.
Relegation from the Regional Third Division has also been expanded. The bottom-placed team in each group will be automatically relegated to zonal or community football, while the next three lowest-ranked teams will enter survival playoffs.
According to the federation, four teams emerging from the survival playoffs will retain their Third Division status. The remaining four teams will compete in a final-chance playoff, with the two losing sides joining the automatically relegated clubs.
At the National Second Division level, the bottom three clubs at the end of the season will be relegated to their respective regional leagues.
To determine the clubs promoted to the National Second Division, the seven regional champions will compete in a national playoff divided into two geographical zones.
The Provincial Zone will comprise champions from the Lower River, Central River, Upper River and North Bank regions, while the Greater Banjul Zone will include champions from Banjul, Kanifing and West Coast regions.
The top two teams from each zone will advance to the promotion semifinals. The two semifinal winners will secure automatic promotion to the National Second Division and will meet in the Promotional Final to determine the overall National Regional Champion.
The third and final promotion place will be decided through a playoff between the losing semifinalists, with the winner earning promotion.
The GFF also confirmed that if the FF Cup winners finish in the National Second Division relegation zone, they will retain their Second Division status. In such a situation, only the two finalists from the national promotion playoffs will be promoted.
The federation urged regional football associations, clubs, officials, coaches and players to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the regulations as part of efforts to improve competitiveness, transparency and the overall standard of football in The Gambia.
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