The Gambia national team narrowly averted disaster when the cabin oxygen supply failed on the plane transporting them to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The coaching staff were on a small private plane heading from the capital city of Banjul to the Ivory Coast on Wednesday when disaster almost struck. Just nine minutes after take-off, the pilot was forced to return to Banjul Airport for an emergency landing with oxygen supplies on board running low.
“We could all have been dead. We all fell asleep quickly. Me, too. I had short dreams about how my life was done. Really and truly,” Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet told Belgian outlet Niewsblad. “After nine minutes the pilot decided to return because there was no oxygen supply. Some players did not wake up [until] immediately after landing. We almost got carbon monoxide poisoning. Another half hour of flying and we would all have been dead.”
Former Manchester United youth prospect Saidy Janko was however not impressed with the situation and went on a full rant on Instagram.
“Unacceptable. After traveling 32 hours in total from Saudi Arabia (Training Camp) to The Gambia with long layovers in Istanbul and Casablanca, we were supposed to fly from Gambia to Ivory Coast for the AFCON today,” wrote Janko.
“As soon as we entered the small plane that was hired to fly us, we noticed the immense heat that left us dripping in sweat. 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 occurring lack of oxygen left many people with strong headaches and extreme dizziness.”
Gambia kick-off their tournament against holders Senegal on Monday.
