• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

AFCON 2023: Gambia’s Squad Escape Death As Plane Makes Emergency Landing

by Leadership News
1 year ago
in 2023 AFCON, Sport
AFCON 2023
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Gambia head coach Tom Saintfiet has said his team avoided tragedy on Wednesday when the plane transporting them to the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations was forced to turn back due to a lack of oxygen.

Advertisement

The team were travelling in a small 50-seater propeller plane, registered to Air Cote d’Ivoire, which had been arranged for them by the Gambian football association.

Saintfiet said the oxygen supply on the flight failed, causing some members of the team to lose consciousness before the pilot opted to return to Gambia’s capital, Banjul.

The Gambian FA said that “preliminary investigations indicated that there was a loss of cabin pressure and oxygen.

“However, the technical team of the operating company of the flight, Air Cote d’Ivoire is further assessing the situation to establish what caused the lack of oxygen and cabin pressure,” the statement said.

RELATED

Miami Open: Gauff Advance To 4th Round, Eyes Title

Tennis: Gauff Beats Sabalenka To Win French Open Title

3 minutes ago
Football Fans Laud Osimhen’s Move To Galatasaray

Osimhen Accepts Al Hilal Offer, Agrees Personal Terms With Saudi Club

5 hours ago

Air Cote d’Ivoire has not yet replied to a request for comment by ESPN.

Saintfiet told ESPN: “We were really dying in the plane. There was no oxygen in this plane, everyone fell asleep, became a little bit unconscious, and the pilot decided after nine minutes of being in the air to return to save our lives.

“There were no oxygen masks dropping down … I am ready to die for Gambia, but on the football pitch, not off it. I had short dreams where my life passed, I had moments where I thought I was dying.”

Gambia defender Saidy Janko said his teammates began to slip into unconsciousness after the plane took off.

“As soon as we entered the small plane that was hired to fly us, we noticed the intense heat that left us dripping with sweat,” Janko said in a post on Instagram. “It was assured to us by the crew that the air conditioning would start once we are in the sky.

“The inhumane heat mixed with the lack of oxygen left many people with strong headaches and full dizziness. Furthermore, people started falling deeply asleep minutes after takeoff.

“In the air, the situation got worse, leaving the pilot with no choice but to initiate an emergency landing. If it wasn’t for this, the consequences could have been a lot worse.”

They are due to play their AFCON opener against holders Senegal in Yamoussoukro on Monday, but Saintfiet said their participation at the tournament now hangs in the balance.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

START EARNING US DOLLARS as a Nigerian ($35,000) monthly. Companies are sacking their workers due to AI (artificial intelligence), business owners are in panic mode. Only the smart will make it. Click here


Tags: AFCON
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Eze Ndigbo Title Not Recognised By Lagos Laws – Witness

Next Post

Minister Vows To End Funding Challenge In Sports Sector

Leadership News

Leadership News

You May Like

Miami Open: Gauff Advance To 4th Round, Eyes Title
Tennis

Tennis: Gauff Beats Sabalenka To Win French Open Title

2025/06/07
Football Fans Laud Osimhen’s Move To Galatasaray
Football

Osimhen Accepts Al Hilal Offer, Agrees Personal Terms With Saudi Club

2025/06/07
Pacquiao, PL India, Others Celebrate Ronaldo At 39
Sport

Ronaldo Turns Down Offers To Play At Club World Cup

2025/06/07
Transfer: 3 Premier League Clubs Battle For Super Eagles’ Star, Uche
Football

Transfer: 3 Premier League Clubs Battle For Super Eagles’ Star, Uche

2025/06/07
Benue SWAN Elects First Female Chairman
Sport

FCT SWAN Felicitates With Members At Eid-el-Kabir

2025/06/07
Emir Of Bauchi Urges Support For Needy
Sport

Emir Of Bauchi Urges Support For Needy

2025/06/07
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Tennis: Gauff Beats Sabalenka To Win French Open Title

‘I Never Begged Wike For Money’, TV Anchor Reuben Abati Refutes FCT Miniter’s Aide’s Claims

Singer Darey Art Alade, Wife Escape Unhurt After Their Car Catches Fire On 3rd Mainland Bridge

Civil War Was For Unity, Not Hatred — Gowon

Nnamdi Kanu Is Prisoner Of Conscience — IPOB

Justice Uwais: Nigeria Lost Statesman Of Unimpeachable Character, Say Northern Senators

Eid-el-Kabir: CAN Preaches Unity, Support For Flood Victims

Taraba Rep Tafida Bags ‘Best Legislator 2025’ Award

Why We Established ‘Discoverer Nigeria’ News Platform — Editor

Lawmaker Orgainses Training For Rice Farmers In Kebbi

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.