Super Eagles’ Trip To Uyo Delayed After Plane Suffers Mid-Air Damage
The Super Eagles’ journey to Uyo for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic took an unexpected turn after their aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air, forcing an emergency return to Luanda, Angola.
According to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday, the ValueJet Airline plane was transporting the team from Polokwane, South Africa, when the incident occurred shortly after takeoff from a refuelling stop in Luanda.
“The pilot did well to guide the airplane safely back to the airport in Luanda,” the NFF confirmed, adding that no one was harmed during the incident.
The same aircraft had earlier flown part of the team’s delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night, arriving in South Africa on Friday morning. However, the issue arose on the return leg, disrupting the team’s travel schedule.
The NFF said efforts are now underway to ensure the players arrive in Uyo as soon as possible ahead of Tuesday’s crucial clash.
“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 tirelessly to get the necessary overflying and landing permits for another aircraft to convey the delegation from Luanda to Uyo,” the federation stated.
The Super Eagles are set to face the Squirrels of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday in a match crucial to their World Cup qualification hopes.
