Gambia’s local national team faces a race against time as travel complications have left them stranded in Mauritania just a day before their all-important second-leg qualifier against Algeria for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Following a tense 0-0 draw in the first leg played in Banjul, the Scorpions A’ were scheduled to travel to Annaba for the return fixture on Friday, May 9, with kickoff set for 18:00 GMT. However, in a twist that could severely impact their preparation and performance, the team remains stuck in Nouakchott, Mauritania — a logistical setback confirmed by the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) in a statement released Thursday.

According to the GFF, the Gambian delegation initially traveled to Dakar, Senegal, to board a connecting Mauritanian Airways flight to Nouakchott. But delays in the airline’s previous leg from Guinea caused the flight to arrive late, resulting in the Scorpions missing their onward connection to Algiers.

“The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) is informing the general public that the local-based national team, the Scorpions, are currently in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where they were scheduled to depart for Algeria last evening,” the federation’s statement read. “The GFF is doing everything possible to ensure that the team leaves Mauritania for Algeria today. Furthermore, the GFF is monitoring the situation and will engage the Confederation of African Football (CAF) accordingly.”

The delay has left Gambia’s CHAN hopes hanging in the balance. With limited time to acclimate and prepare in Algeria, concerns are mounting over the team’s readiness and recovery — especially given the high stakes of the fixture. The winner of the tie will book a coveted spot at the 2025 CHAN, a tournament reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues.

As the clock ticks, all eyes will be on the GFF’s efforts to get the team airborne and on Algerian soil in time for Friday’s showdown unless there is CAF intervention.