A Valuejet plane bringing back home Super Eagles player from Polokwane, South Africa to Uyo for their final World Cup qualifier was forced to make an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola due to a cracked window.
The Super were heading home after their match against Lesotho, which they won 2-1 to keep alive their slim hope of qualifying for 2026 World Cup.
According to the NFF, “the ValueJet Airline plane conveying the team 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 pilot, acting swiftly and professionally, safely returned the aircraft to the Luanda airport, averting any danger. The same aircraft had previously transported some members of the Super Eagles delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night, arriving in South Africa on Friday morning. It had also been used for similar routes during the team’s Matchday 8 encounter against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein last month.
“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.”
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