Gambia team forced to make emergency landing on way to Africa Cup of Nations

The Gambians are relishing chance to serve as giantkillers again, once they recover from flight ordeal

Gambia's Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet

GAMBIAN coach Tom Saintfiet said he and his players feared for their lives after the plane taking them to the Africa Cup of Nations made an emergency landing, delaying their arrival at the tournament in the Ivory Coast.

Gambia’s squad set off from Banjul on Wednesday for the short trip to Yamoussoukro, where they will play their opening two group games, but minutes after take-off they turned around because of a lack of oxygen inside the plane, he said, adding: “Luckily for us, the pilot recognised the problem and after nine minutes in the air turned around to land again. We all fell asleep.”