The Super Eagles’ trip to Uyo for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic took an unexpected turn after their aircraft developed a mid-air fault, forcing an emergency return to Luanda, Angola.
According to a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday, the ValueJet plane carrying the team from Polokwane, South Africa, suffered a cracked windscreen shortly after take-off from Luanda, where it had stopped to refuel.
“The same aircraft had flown some members of the delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night, arriving in South Africa on Friday morning. However, after a routine refueling stop in Luanda, Angola, the aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air after take-off, and the pilot did well to guide the airplane safely back to the airport in Luanda,” the NFF stated.
The federation confirmed that no one was injured and assured fans that efforts were ongoing to ensure the team’s safe and timely arrival in Uyo.
“ValueJet Airline and relevant federal authorities, including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, are working round the clock to secure flight permits for another aircraft to pick up the delegation in Luanda and convey them to Uyo,” the statement added.
The Super Eagles are expected to face the Squirrels of Benin Republic on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in a crucial World Cup qualifying encounter.
