The Gambian FA sent a letter to Caf asking them to delay their opening match against Lesotho, on October 13th, after the team's involvement in the crisis in the Ivory Coast.

However Caf dismissed the application on the grounds that the team were now back on home soil and had adequate time to prepare for the fixture.

"We refused because the team is now back in Gambia. There is no reason to postpone the game", a Caf official said.

According to the General Secretary of the Gambian FA, Jammeh Bojang, they received a fax from Caf informing them that the game would go ahead as scheduled.

"We aren't feeling bad about it. We thank God that our boys are out safely. It was out of desperation that we made the request", he said.

"We had to buy time in case the boys came home late. We also believed it was going to have some psychological impact on the players," he added.

Gambia have now begun training for the match, but have not ruled out a renewed appeal.

"If there is a need for it, we may make a further request. As of now we are doing everything to respect their decision".

The squad were trapped in their hotel in Bouake in the Ivory Coast for a week after fierce fighting broke out between armed rebels and forces loyal to the government.

The violence cost the lives of hundreds of people and the Gambian squad, along with players from Sierria Leone and Senegal were eventually evacuated by French troops.