– Advertisement – President of the Confederation of African Football, Dr Patrice Motsepe, has broken his silence following the controversial decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title, insisting that the move was guided strictly by regulations. Speaking on the matter, Dr Motsepe expressed the emotional weight of the decision, revealing his personal involvement during Senegal’s triumph. He emphasised that once the Caf Appeals Board reaches a decision, he, as president of the Confederation of African Football, is obligated to enforce it, including reclaiming the trophy from the Senegal national football team. “I gave Sadio Mané the gold medal, I gave Kalidou Krubally the medal, I gave Mané the trophy, I gave him US$10 million, but I have to follow the laws. I have to respect the rules. A decision was made by the Caf Disciplinary Board, and I have to enforce it,” Dr Motsepe...

– Advertisement – From April 10 to April 15, 1xBet will run a new promotional campaign in The Gambia titled Golden Ticket, giving football fans the chance to win free access to upcoming home matches at Gambia Football Federation stadiums. The campaign continues the brand’s growing involvement in Gambian football following the official partnership announcement between 1xBet and the Gambia Football Federation (GFF). Partnership with the Gambia Football Federation 1xBet and the Gambia Football Federation officially announced their partnership during a press conference held on 16 March in Banjul. The agreement marked the beginning of a new stage of cooperation focused on supporting football development in The Gambia and strengthening the connection between sport, community, and social impact. – Advertisement – Against this backdrop, the Golden Ticket promo becomes one of the first fan-focused activations linked to the new partnership. The campaign is designed to bring supporters closer to the matchday atmosphere...

– Advertisement – Ahead of the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34), a call for practical, collective leadership on food security and nutrition By Abebe Haile-Gabriel, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).—————————————————————————————————————– 31 March 2026, Accra – Global shocks keep tightening their grip on Africa’s agrifood systems. Trade disruptions raise the cost of fertilizer, fuel and freight. Climate variability wipes out harvests. Conflict displaces farmers from their land. These are real, and they are intensifying. But the most consequential decisions about Africa’s agrifood future are still made on the continent itself: in national budgets, regulatory frameworks and investment plans that African governments control. The 34th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Regional Conference for Africa, hosted by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in Nouakchott from 13 to17 April 2026, brings together ministers...

– Advertisement – By Tombong Saidy, In any sovereign nation, the administration of justice is not just a technical function—it is the very backbone of national dignity, independence, and public trust. Yet, under the leadership of Adama Barrow, The Gambia continues to witness a deeply troubling and unjustifiable trend: the persistent appointment of non-Gambians to the critical office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This is not just a policy misstep—it is a profound vote of no confidence in Gambian professionals. – Advertisement – For a country that has produced generations of brilliant lawyers, seasoned prosecutors, and respected judges, the continued reliance on foreigners to occupy such a sensitive and strategic position is both insulting and indefensible. Are we to believe that among the many competent Gambian legal minds, not one is capable of serving as DPP? That argument simply does not hold water. The truth is far more uncomfortable....

– Advertisement – By Muhammed Lamin Drammeh Let me start with something imperative. The institutions I serve as secretary general, the Sports Journalists Association SJAG is not  responsible for a single thought you are about to read here. This is mine, fully mine, sitting in my dormitory in Beijing, doing a reflection on the future of Gambian football. I am writing about my frustration, hope, and love for a game that has given me everything and taken nothing back. – Advertisement – Gambian football is bleeding, though not visibly, or dramatically, but persistently. The blood is the eroded trust between the federation, the public, and its stakeholders, as well as the talent wasted on substandard pitches. It is also about the young player who trains every day but is unsure about his future. A player whose career ends prematurely because of an injury that proper medical care could have treated....

– Advertisement – Press release The Ministry of Youth and Sports, with support from ActionAid International The Gambia yesterday commenced a crucial four-day First Quarter Performance Review Retreat in Kanilai, West Coast Region. The retreat brought together Ministry officials, staff from the Departments of Youth and Sports, and satellite institutions at a time when expectations from young people across the country continue to rise. – Advertisement – The gathering goes beyond routine discussions. It is a moment for reflection, honest assessment, and renewed commitment to delivering meaningful results for Gambian youth. In his opening remarks, Minister Bakary Y Badjie acknowledged the progress registered in the first quarter, while noting that much more remains to be done. He highlighted the continued deployment of graduates under the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), helping young people gain practical experience and improve their employment prospects. He also pointed to expanded opportunities in skills training,...

– Advertisement – Week 1: The appeal trial begins Week 1: (30 March – 2 April)Days 1 and 2 (30 and 31 March): Preliminary questionsAt the opening of the trial on 30 March 2026, the presiding judge confirmed who was present: the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Ousman Sonko and his lawyers, and 5 plaintiffs who had travelled to Bellinzona, along with their lawyers. The floor was then given to the parties to present their preliminary questions. Admissibility of the appeals and validity of the amended indictmentThe defence argued that the appeals filed by the OAG and the lawyers for the plaintiffs were inadmissible, on the basis that the indictment did not describe the relevant facts with sufficient detail (particularly regarding sexual violence) and could therefore not be examined. – Advertisement – It also challenged the validity of the amended indictment (July 2023), arguing that the original version did...

– Advertisement – By Musa Bassadi Jawara The acquittal of Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh has sparked a heated debate, with the President responding to the opposition leader’s national address. The President stated that while he respects the verdict, he doesn’t agree with it, and the government is appealing Justice Jaiteh’s judgment. He also accused the opposition leader of having “unclean hands” in the case, raising concerns about potential legal implications. Rumours have emerged that the lead defense counsel, Lamin J Darbo, may be summoned by the police for questioning. Darboe has confirmed the rumours, stating that he will not voluntarily submit to questioning unless arrested. – Advertisement – The situation has taken a concerning turn, with potential implications for the Gambian judiciary and the rule of law. As we noted in our initial article, the principle of double jeopardy protects the Bojangs from retrial, and...

– Advertisement – By Dr Ousman Gajigo The Ousainou and Amie Bojang case is yet another painful illustration of this country’s leadership crisis. The High Court recently acquitted both individuals of involvement in the murder of two police officers in 2023. This sorry affair exposes the incompetence and poor judgement that pervades multiple levels of government. The first tragedy is the murder of the two officers themselves: Sang Gomez and Pateh Jallow, both killed in the line of duty. Their families still do not know who killed them or why, and no one has been held accountable. That injustice alone is immense. – Advertisement – Responsible leadership at every level of government demands trust in established procedures – thorough investigation before prosecution, not the reverse. An ongoing investigation would have served justice far better than a hasty prosecution ending in acquittal. From the moment the murders occurred, the hallmarks of...

– Advertisement – Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced reforms that will see the introduction of an African Nations League and the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 28 teams. Speaking after a Caf Executive Committee meeting, Motsepe said the changes are aimed at improving the structure, competitiveness, and global relevance of African football. “We have to stop this thing of African fixtures not being predictable, consistent and reliable,” Motsepe said, adding that Caf must also prioritise football development across all regions, particularly in East Africa. Under the new plan, Afcon will expand from 24 to 28 teams starting from the 2027 edition, which will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The expansion is expected to create more opportunities for countries across the continent to participate at the highest level. – Advertisement – Caf also confirmed that Afcon will...