‘We could all have been dead’ – Wrexham star involved in terrifying Africa Cup of Nations plane scare

The Gambia national team were involved in a terrifying incident on their flight to the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday evening.

It has been reported that several of the players fainted due to a lack of oxygen on the aircraft.

Most of the passengers are said to have fallen asleep shortly after take-off.

Disaster was avoided, however, with the plane heading back to Gambia after just 20 minutes.

The Gambia national team includes Wrexham star Jacob Mendy.

“We could all have been dead,” coach Tom Saintfiet is reported to have said by De Telegraaf. “We all fell asleep quickly. Me, too. I had short dreams about how my life was done. Really and truly.

"After nine minutes the pilot decided to return because there was no oxygen supply. There were players who did not wake up immediately after landing. We almost got carbon monoxide poisoning. Another half hour of flying and we would all have been dead.”

Ex-Manchester United youngster Saidy Janko was also on the flight and posted a long message about the incident.

He wrote: "After travelling 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.

"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 condition 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. Furthermore, people started falling deeply asleep minutes after entering the aircraft/takeoff.

"Whilst in the Air, the situation got worse, leaving the pilot with no other option, than initiating an emergency landing back in Banjul airport nine minutes after takeoff. Which happened successfully.

"If it wasn’t for this, the consequences could have been a lot worse !!!.. knowing what could have happened, if we would have been exposed to the situation for any longer - in an airplane, running out of oxygen..

"We are grateful that everyone is feeling well but this is a situation that has to be addressed going into the AFCON, as being only one of our obstacles on international duty.

"This is unacceptable and such has to cease with immediate effect."