The Gambia national football squad, the Scorpions, left Banjul on Thursday afternoon onboard Air Côte d’Ivoire Air Bus 319 for Yamoussoukro. At 4 p.m., the chartered jet departed following President Adama Barrow’s intervention.

The team intended to go straight to Yamoussoukro, a tiny airport where larger planes need special permission to land for security reasons, according to the Gambia Football Federation.

As a result, President Barrow discussed the issue with his counterpart from Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara. As a result, Air Côte d’Ivoire deployed an Airbus 319 to Banjul after permissions had already been issued for the Airbus to land in Yamoussoukro instead of Abidjan.

The football federation stated earlier on Wednesday that the ‘Scorpions’ plane, which was leaving Banjul, had to make an emergency landing after nine minutes of flight from Yundum Airport due to a loss of pressure and oxygen in the cabin.

Although there were social media rumors circulating that the occupants of the small, twin-engine aircraft were ill, the federation assured everyone on Wednesday night that everyone was well.

This mishap occurred following a turbulent start to the week. The players walked out of their final national training session on Tuesday to seek a qualification bonus of 38 million dalasis (roughly 500,000 euros) for the entire squad. This plan sparked outrage among the stadium’s patrons.

According to the Ministry of Sports, the incentive was given on the command of the Head of State, Adama Barrow, despite the fact that it was not part of the arrangements made with the players.