Newly elected Gambia Football Federation (GFF) President Kemo Ceesay has moved to bring former presidential election rivals into the federation’s match-day operations ahead of the Scorpions’ upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Ceesay appointed Sadibou Kamaso and Col. Musa Jammeh, who contested against him in the recent GFF presidential election, to the Match Event Management Committee responsible for preparations for the upcoming international fixtures.
However, the GFF has confirmed that Kamaso declined the appointment, while Col. Musa Jammeh accepted and will serve on the committee.
The Match Event Management Committee will oversee the planning, coordination and execution of operational and logistical arrangements for The Gambia’s AFCON qualifier matches.
The appointments come as the GFF intensifies preparations for the Scorpions’ return to the Independence Stadium in Bakau, which has received preliminary approval to host the upcoming AFCON qualifier against Somalia.
The preliminary approval allows the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to assess the stadium’s organisational, operational and match-management standards ahead of the fixture.
Ceesay’s decision to involve former election opponents in the federation’s activities signals an effort to broaden participation in the administration of Gambian football following the leadership contest.