The Gambia Football Association have made it clear that there will tight security in place for Sunday’s 2010 World Cup qualifier match between the Scorpions and Terenga Lions of Senegal at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Reflecting on the bad memories of the 2003 brawl between fans of the two sister nations, the Gambia Football Association are not taking anything for granted when the two sides face each other for the first time since the 2003 Dakar meeting.

“We are putting in place measures to ensure effective traffic control and safety of lives and property. This is a big match, and we expect the public to behave well,” GFA-FIFA security officer Alhaji Momodou Gaye said.

Mr Gaye, who doubles as deputy inspector general of The Gambia Police Force, also called on the public to report to the stadium in time so as to avoid over-crowding at the entrance gates.

“Fans must come to the game early. And anyone entering the stadium will be thoroughly searched to ensure that no body takes in an article that can be used as a weapon.”

While appealing to the general public to respect the rules  so as to avoid any harassment on the day, Gaye also re-assured the public that the security personnel will be only there to watch the spectators and not to harass them.