The Super Eagles have arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, ahead of their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
The team flight touched down at the Victor Attah International Airport at exactly 8:05 a.m. on Sunday after an unexpected travel delay.
The delay followed a mid-air emergency on Saturday during the team’s flight from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Value Jet aircraft, carrying players, coaches and government officials had stopped in Luanda, Angola, to refuel. The flight resumed normally but was forced to return to Luanda just 25 minutes later after a loud crack was heard in the aircraft’s windshield, forcing the pilot to make a precautionary U-turn.
The development necessitated the disembarkation of all passengers upon the safe landing back in Luanda.
Officials from the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that emergency protocols were followed, as the airline later arranged an alternative aircraft to complete the journey.
Also Read: Super Eagles plane makes emergency landing in Angola
The Super Eagles, currently second in their group, are set to face Benin Republic Tuesday in a decisive final qualifier.
Victory will guarantee their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team will hold a light training session later today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Credible News reports that the aircraft taking Nigeria’s Super Eagles from Polokwane, South Africa to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for their final World Cup qualifying match has made an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola.
The Value Jet aircraft conveying the team had made an initial stop in Luanda, Angola to refuel before embarking on the trip to Uyo in Nigeria.
But 25 minutes into the flight, the pilot made a u-turn to Luanda after a heavy crack on the aircraft’s wind shield distorted what had started as a smooth flight. The players, officials and government delegates onboard have since disembarked the aircraft and await the air line operator’s swift response to the situation.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the development in a statement issued by Ademola Olajire, its Director of Communications, on Saturday.
NAN
