Gambia national team airplane en route to Cote D'Ivoire for 2023 AFCON nearly crashed after taking off from Gambia's capital Banjul.
The flight had to be forced back to Banjul for an emergency landing as it could not continue on the journey to Cote D'Ivoire.
According to one of the players, Saidy Janko, who was onboard the flight when the disaster engulfed the airplane, the cabin supplying oxygen to the airplane failed nine minutes after take off.
Janko explained the airplane was not well ventilated right from the time they boarded and get seated for the flight.
He said everyone were dripping with sweat due to heavy heat, leaving everyone with strong headaches. Janko added some players and officials even fell asleep immediately after it took off.
Nine minutes into the flight, the former Manchester United player said they were beginning to suffocate with carbon monoxide, as oxygen supply was cut short due to a failed cabin.
"It was a near-death situation," he added, hence the flight has to be discontinued immediately.
Gambia national team coach Saintfiet also confirmed the incident saying everyone onboard the flight were nearing death due to the lack of oxygen.
As of the time of filing this report, Gambia has until today to rearrange their flight and travel to Cote D'Ivoire for the competition or risk being stamped out of the tournament.
They are in Group C alongside Ghana, Guinea, and defending champions Senegal.
Gambian Football Federation have reacted to the incident, confirming the airplane have a technical problem and was forced back for emergency landing.
Preparations for a new flight to convey the Scorpions to Ivory Coast is in top gear before their opening kickoff against Senegal on Monday, January 15.
The flight had to be forced back to Banjul for an emergency landing as it could not continue on the journey to Cote D'Ivoire.
According to one of the players, Saidy Janko, who was onboard the flight when the disaster engulfed the airplane, the cabin supplying oxygen to the airplane failed nine minutes after take off.
Janko explained the airplane was not well ventilated right from the time they boarded and get seated for the flight.
He said everyone were dripping with sweat due to heavy heat, leaving everyone with strong headaches. Janko added some players and officials even fell asleep immediately after it took off.
Nine minutes into the flight, the former Manchester United player said they were beginning to suffocate with carbon monoxide, as oxygen supply was cut short due to a failed cabin.
"It was a near-death situation," he added, hence the flight has to be discontinued immediately.
Gambia national team coach Saintfiet also confirmed the incident saying everyone onboard the flight were nearing death due to the lack of oxygen.
As of the time of filing this report, Gambia has until today to rearrange their flight and travel to Cote D'Ivoire for the competition or risk being stamped out of the tournament.
They are in Group C alongside Ghana, Guinea, and defending champions Senegal.
Gambian Football Federation have reacted to the incident, confirming the airplane have a technical problem and was forced back for emergency landing.
Preparations for a new flight to convey the Scorpions to Ivory Coast is in top gear before their opening kickoff against Senegal on Monday, January 15.