The Super Eagles of Nigeria narrowly avoided a mid-air disaster when the chartered aircraft conveying the team from South Africa was forced to make an emergency landing in Angola due to a cracked windscreen. The incident occurred on Saturday shortly after the ValueJet-operated aircraft, transporting the players and officials from Polokwane following their crucial 2-1 victory over Lesotho, refuelled at the Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, the Angolan capital.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released a statement confirming the frightening event, noting that the pilot’s professional and swift action guided the plane safely back to the airport immediately after the windscreen cracked following take-off. All members of the Super Eagles delegation were confirmed safe and unhurt, despite the unexpected technical fault on the return journey to Uyo for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.
The NFF confirmed that immediate efforts were mobilised to secure a replacement aircraft and expedite the team’s travel, with the airline and relevant federal authorities, including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Staff to the President, collaborating to secure the necessary overflying and landing permits for a new flight from Lagos to Luanda to retrieve the delegation and take them to Uyo. This rapid response is crucial given the tight schedule for the upcoming World Cup qualifier.
The unforeseen delay comes at a critical time for the national team, who are scheduled to face the Benin Republic—the Group C leaders—in a must-win final qualifying match in Uyo on Tuesday. With only one automatic qualification spot available, Nigeria currently sits third in the group with 14 points and an even goal difference, trailing the Benin Republic’s 17 points (+5 goal difference) and South Africa’s 15 points (+3 goal difference). The Super Eagles must secure a win against the Cheetahs and hope that South Africa fails to defeat Rwanda in their own final fixture to guarantee a direct ticket to the 2026 tournament.
