The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the Super Eagles’ journey to Uyo for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic took an unexpected turn after their chartered ValueJet aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air on Sunday.
According to an official statement from the NFF, the team was en route from Polokwane, South Africa, where they had faced Lesotho, when the incident occurred.
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The ValueJet flight, which had earlier transported some members of the delegation to South Africa on Thursday, made a routine refueling stop in Luanda, Angola, before taking off again.
However, minutes after departure, the aircraft’s windshield reportedly cracked due to pressure, forcing the pilot to make a swift and safe emergency return to the Angolan capital.
“The pilot did exceptionally well to guide the airplane safely back to the airport,” the NFF revealed, adding that no injuries were recorded among the players or officials onboard.
The situation has, however, delayed the team’s arrival in Uyo, where preparations for Tuesday’s crucial qualifier were already in full swing. The NFF said ValueJet Airline is now collaborating with the Federal Government to dispatch another aircraft from Lagos to retrieve the stranded delegation.
Government officials including the Minister of Aviation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Staff to the President are reportedly involved in ensuring emergency overflying and landing permits are secured swiftly.
Despite the scare, NFF sources assured that morale within the camp remains high, and all players are safe and calm as they await evacuation to Nigeria.
“It’s been a frightening ordeal,” a team insider said, “but thankfully, everyone is okay — and the focus now is getting to Uyo safely and winning against Benin.”
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