Cracked aircraft windscreen delays Super Eagles’ arrival

The Super Eagles’ trip to Uyo took a dramatic twist on Saturday after the aircraft conveying the team suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air, forcing an emergency return to Luanda, Angola.

According to a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the ValueJet aircraft, which had been flying the delegation from Polokwane, South Africa, was forced to turn back shortly after take-off when the pilot noticed the damage.

“The pilot did well to guide the airplane safely back to the airport in Luanda,” the NFF said.

The same aircraft had earlier transported some members of the delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night and arrived on Friday morning without incident. However, during the return leg, after a routine refuelling stop in Luanda, the windscreen reportedly cracked mid-flight — a situation that could have ended disastrously if not properly managed.

Efforts are now underway to get the players to Uyo in time for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against the Benin Republic on Tuesday.

“ValueJet Airline and the relevant Federal Government authorities, including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, are working round the clock to secure necessary overflying and landing permits for another aircraft to convey the delegation from Luanda to Uyo,” the Federation added.

The incident caused a delay in the team’s scheduled arrival in Uyo, where preparations are already in top gear for the showdown at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The Super Eagles are set to face the Squirrels of Benin Republic in what many fans are calling a must-win game as Nigeria fights to keep its World Cup dream alive.