The aircraft conveying Nigeria’s Super Eagles from South Africa to Uyo for their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic made an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday after developing a technical fault mid-air.
The ValueJet aircraft, which had earlier stopped in Luanda to refuel, reportedly turned back about 25 minutes after takeoff when a loud crack appeared on the windshield, forcing the pilot to initiate emergency procedures.
The same aircraft had earlier flown part of the team’s delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning ahead of their 2-1 victory over Lesotho.
All players, officials, and government delegates on board were safely evacuated upon landing.
Confirming the incident, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air, commending the pilot for safely returning the plane to the Luanda airport.
“After a routine refuelling stop in Luanda, 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,” the NFF said in a statement.
The Federation added that plans were underway for another aircraft to fly from Lagos to pick up the delegation.
“ValueJet Airline and relevant Federal Government authorities, including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, are working assiduously to secure overflying and landing permits for another aircraft to convey the delegation to Uyo,” the statement added.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Benin Republic on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, in their final Group C World Cup qualifier.
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