The Gambian national football team experienced a swift turnaround to Banjul shortly after takeoff for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to reported oxygen loss on the flight.
The team, en route to Abidjan, faced delays as the chartered flight encountered technical challenges, causing severe headaches and breathing problems among players and technical staff after nine minutes in the air.
The Gambia Football Federation issued a statement regretting the incident, citing a loss of cabin pressure and oxygen. The players and staff, confirmed to be safe, are awaiting further instructions at the Ocean Bay Hotel while the flight’s technical team assesses the situation. Plans for a new departure time have been arranged.