The Super Eagles of Nigeria were forced to make an emergency landing in Angola after the team’s aircraft developed a cracked windscreen mid-air.
The Independent Mirror reports that the team was returning to Uyo on Saturday following their 2–1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa, when the incident occurred.
In a statement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the ValueJet aircraft had stopped over in Luanda, Angola, for refuelling before the windscreen cracked “mid-air after take-off.”
The federation added that “the pilot did well to safely guide the aircraft back to the airport in Luanda.”
The NFF further stated that the airline and the federal government “are working assiduously to obtain the necessary overflying and landing permits for another aircraft to depart from Lagos, pick up the delegation in Luanda, and fly them to Uyo.”
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face the Squirrels of Benin Republic in a crucial final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday in Uyo.
Nigeria must win the match and hope South Africa fail to defeat Rwanda in order to secure an automatic ticket to the World Cup.
The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C with 14 points, behind Benin Republic and South Africa, who occupy first and second positions, respectively.
