In a gripping turn of events, the Gambia national football team's journey to the Africa Cup of Nations took a harrowing twist as their chartered plane made a dramatic emergency landing. The aircraft, carrying the "Scorpions," swiftly returned to Banjul, the capital of Gambia, after just nine minutes in the air, prompted by the realization of technical malfunctions, as revealed by the Gambia Sports Federation in a compelling press release on Facebook.
Amid the heart-pounding ordeal, preliminary investigations upon landing uncovered a chilling revelation – a loss of cabin pressure and oxygen. The airline, Air Cote d'Ivoire, is now diligently examining the circumstances to unveil the cause behind this alarming deficiency in oxygen and cabin pressure.
The imminent Africa Cup in Ivory Coast, slated to commence on Saturday, became a backdrop to this high-stakes drama. This 34th edition of the biennial tournament, initially scheduled for June and July last year, witnessed a postponement to circumvent Ivory Coast's tropical rainy season.
Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, a firsthand witness to the life-threatening incident, conveyed the team's narrow escape from death due to carbon monoxide poisoning. "We all suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning. Some players also did not wake up immediately after landing," Saintfiet revealed in a chilling account to Belgian broadcaster VRT.
Adding a personal touch to the narrative, Gambian player Saidy Janko, through an Instagram post, shed light on the profound impact of the lack of oxygen. Severe headaches, extreme dizziness, and an unsettling phenomenon of passengers falling asleep within minutes of takeoff unfolded, creating a sense of urgency and shared vulnerability
As the team readies for their rescheduled journey, slated for Thursday afternoon, anticipation and caution loom large. The next flight to Ivory Coast awaits, and the footballers are set to navigate their path to the town of Yamoussoukro, where pivotal matches await – a testament to resilience and determination amid an unexpected twist of fate.