Gambia AFCON Squad Survives Near-Disaster on Flight to Ivory Coast

• Gambia’s AFCON flight had pressurization scare.
• Quick pilot action prevented issues.
• Team trains, faces Senegal in AFCON opener.

Gambia national football team narrowly escaped a potential tragedy as their flight to Ivory Coast for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) faced a life-threatening situation. Coach Tom Saintfiet revealed that an Air Cote d’Ivoire flight, designated for the Gambian squad, experienced a pressurization problem, which, if left unattended, could have resulted in fatal consequences.

The flight, departing from Banjul, Gambia’s capital, made a swift turnaround shortly after takeoff when the lack of oxygen led many members of the delegation to fall asleep. Coach Saintfiet commended the pilot’s quick thinking in recognizing the severity of the situation and taking decisive action to return to safety.

Saintfiet described the conditions inside the plane, stating, “After a few minutes, it was very hot in the plane. We all fell asleep because there was a lack of oxygen – some of the players couldn’t be woken up.” He emphasized that if the flight had continued for another 30 minutes, the entire team could have faced a tragic fate.

Air Cote d’Ivoire, the official airline of AFCON 2023, confirmed the pressurization issue and explained that it could have been resolved by a ground mechanic. However, the flight was canceled due to previous delays impacting the crew’s working hours.

While Saintfiet suggested the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, Gambia Football Federation (GFF) president Lamin Kaba Bajo dismissed these claims, stating that there was no evidence to support such assertions.

The incident comes just four months after the Gambian team experienced the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco. Despite the challenging circumstances during the flight, the Gambia squad chose to engage in training upon their return to Banjul, with some players unable to participate due to lingering effects.

“Some players could not train because of what happened. They still have headaches, and that is worrying, while some of the players are still dizzy,” said Coach Saintfiet. The Gambia is scheduled to face neighbors Senegal in their opening game on Monday, hoping to overcome the physical and mental challenges they have encountered in their journey to the AFCON tournament.