The Super Eagles of Nigeria narrowly avoided a tragic incident on Saturday after their chartered aircraft made an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola, while en route from South Africa to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The team, who were returning from Polokwane after their World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, were aboard a ValueJet airline flight that developed a technical fault mid-air shortly after refuelling in Luanda.
According to a statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the aircraft’s windshield reportedly cracked while cruising, forcing the pilot to make a swift return to Luanda International Airport to avert disaster.
“The ValueJet Airline plane conveying the Super Eagles from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo for Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic developed a cracked windscreen mid-air after taking off from a refuelling stop in Luanda, Angola,” the statement read.
“The pilot, acting swiftly and professionally, safely returned the aircraft to the Luanda airport, averting any danger.”
The NFF noted that the same aircraft had been used for previous Super Eagles flights, including their Matchday 8 encounter against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein last month, without incident.
Following the emergency landing, Nigerian authorities and the airline have reportedly begun urgent arrangements to dispatch a replacement aircraft from Lagos to transport the players and officials safely to Uyo.
“The NFF assured fans and stakeholders that ValueJet and relevant federal authorities — including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President — are working urgently to secure overflying and landing permits for a replacement aircraft. The new plane will fly from Lagos to Luanda to pick up the delegation and convey them safely to Uyo.”
The federation also expressed gratitude to Nigerian fans and football stakeholders for their understanding, assuring that every necessary step was being taken to ensure the safety and timely arrival of the team.
The NFF, added that the unfortunate incident would not affect the Super Eagles’ preparation for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic scheduled for Tuesday in Uyo.
