"We were afraid for our lives": Atsu recounts nightmare event in Malabo

Everton star Christian Atsu has recounted the moments on the pitch during the AFCON semi final against Equatorial Guinea.

Players of the Black Stars were pelted with water bottles,stones,plates and other projectiles after the home team went down 2-0 at half time,leading to dramatic scenes including the flying of a helicopter 10 feet over the crowd in a bid to restore order.

Fans of the team were also subjected to attacks,forcing an evacuation from their stands to buses and an immediate flight out of the country.

Atsu said at a point,the players felt their lives were at stake.

"It was very scary because we were all afraid for our lives the way the stones and other things were being thrown onto the pitch Atsu told Everton TV.

The way the thing happened really had us thinking whether the game was going to be cancelled,so some of us started asking the referee if the game will be cancelled. He answered saying that unless the police decide it was safe for the game to continue,there is no way he would order the resumption of the match.

We had by then scored three goals so we were praying that the referee doesn't cancel the game,and I am happy that we managed to finish the game and went to the final."

Atsu was named player of the tournament after and also scored the goal of the tournament in the 3-0 win over Guinea.