AFCON 2023: Gambia team flight to Ivory Coast forced into emergency landing due to lack of oxygen
The issues with the plane, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) says, were discovered by the crew nine minutes into the flight, with the problems confirmed once they had landed back in Banjul
The Gambia national team was forced to abandon its flight to Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) amid a loss of cabin pressure and oxygen on the plane.
The team was travelling from Banjul, Gambia’s capital, to Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast’s, on Wednesday, having previously spent time in Saudi Arabia as part of its pre-tournament preparations.
The issues with the plane, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) says, were discovered by the crew nine minutes into the flight, with the problems confirmed once they had landed back in Banjul.
A statement from Air Cote d’Ivoire, the airline responsible for the flight which is also the official transport partner and sponsor of AFCON 2023, acknowledged the air pressure problem responsible for the plane being forced to U-turn.
The GFF added that everyone traveling was “safe and in sound health” and, once the team had landed again, they held a training session under the floodlights at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, a town to the west of Banjul.
The players had skipped training while demanding a bonus payment for qualifying for the tournament, local media reported, but the decision angered supporters who had come to watch the team in action.
Gambia are due to play their opening fixture against reigning champions Senegal on Monday.
They also face Guinea and Cameroon in their group.
Story By: Princeton Wiredu
