Gambian defender Saidy Janko has recounted the team’s near fatal accident after their chartered flight to Ivory Coast made an emergency landing after loss of cabin pressure and oxygen.

The chartered Air Cote d’Ivore left Banjul this afternoon with players and officials bound for Abidjan but 10 minutes into the flight the players complained of severe heat, dizziness and lack of oxygen. 

Janko, who plays for Young Boys, took to social media to express their ordeal after the emergency landing. 

He said they first raised their concerns before the flight took off but they were assured that the air condition would start once the plane airborne. 

“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 Banjulairport nine minutes after takeoff,” he said.

Janko dismay at nation’s FA for the hardship they continue to go through, as the chartered flight flying the players to the AFCON was forced to return to Banjul after loss of carbin pressure and oxygen.

Janko, 28, said this is one of many challenges they have faced in the build up for the AFCON tournament. 

The players were not paid their match bonuses on time and were made to embark on brutal long travelled without much rest. 

Janko added: “This is unacceptable and such has to cease with immediate effect.” 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba