In a harrowing turn of events, the Gambia national football team, en route to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, narrowly escaped a potentially fatal situation during a flight that was abruptly aborted. Coach Tom Saintfiet revealed that the Air Cote d’Ivoire flight faced a severe pressurization issue, which could have resulted in tragic consequences.
The alarming incident unfolded just minutes after the flight departed from Banjul, Gambia’s capital, on Wednesday. According to Saintfiet, a lack of oxygen led many members of the delegation to fall asleep, emphasizing the severity of the conditions on board. The quick thinking of the pilot, who noticed the distressing situation, was credited by the coach for ensuring the safety of the team.
Saintfiet commended the pilot’s decision to turn back, stating, “If the flight had gone on for another 30 minutes, the whole team would have died.” He expressed shock at the incident, highlighting the concerning fact that oxygen masks did not deploy during the crisis.
Air Cote d’Ivoire, the official airline of AFCON 2023, confirmed the pressurization issue and mentioned that it could have been resolved by a ground mechanic. However, the flight was ultimately canceled due to the impact of earlier delays on the crew’s working hours.
While Saintfiet raised concerns about possible carbon monoxide poisoning, Gambia Football Federation president Lamin Kaba Bajo refuted the claim, stating there was no evidence to support it. Bajo emphasized that the passengers, including the coach, did not experience any collapse or incidents during the flight.
This incident comes four months after the Gambian team faced the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco, in September 2022, which claimed over 2,000 lives. Despite the challenging experience during the aborted flight, the Gambia national team opted to engage in training upon their return to Banjul.
“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,” revealed Saintfiet. Despite the physical and mental strain, the team aimed to release stress through training.
The Gambia national team, having reached the quarter-finals in their maiden Nations Cup appearance two years ago, is set to face neighbors Senegal in their opening game on Monday. The football community remains on edge, hoping for a swift recovery for the affected players and staff as they navigate this unprecedented and challenging situation on the road to AFCON 2023.
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