Nigeria’s Super Eagles escaped a potential crisis on Saturday when their chartered ValueJet aircraft made an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola, following a mid-air technical fault, Soccernet.ng reports.
The team was en route from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom, ahead of Tuesday’s decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.
The plane had made a routine refuelling stop in Luanda but was forced to return about 25 minutes after takeoff when a loud crack appeared on the windscreen.
Witnesses said the pilot reacted swiftly, executing an emergency U-turn and landing safely back in Luanda. All players, officials, and government delegates on board disembarked unharmed.
In a statement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the incident and praised the flight crew for their professionalism.
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“The aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air after take-off, and the pilot did well to guide the aeroplane safely back to the airport in Luanda,” the NFF said.
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The same aircraft had previously ferried part of the Super Eagles delegation to South Africa earlier in the week. The NFF also revealed that arrangements were being made for a replacement aircraft from Lagos.
“ValueJet Airline and the relevant Nigerian authorities, including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Staff to the President, are working assiduously to obtain permits for another plane to pick the delegation and fly them to Uyo,” the statement added.
Despite the scare, the Super Eagles are expected to resume their journey to Uyo later on Saturday, as they continue preparations for their final qualifier against Benin Republic, a fixture pivotal to Nigeria’s World Cup hopes.
The Super Eagles defeated Lesotho 2-1 in Polokwane on Friday courtesy of goals from captain William Troost-Ekong and Sevilla forward Akor Adams.
To qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria need to beat Benin by two clear goals and hope South Africa fail to overcome Rwanda on same day.
