An aircraft conveying Nigeria’s Super Eagles from South Africa to Uyo for their final World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic made an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday after developing a technical fault mid-air.
The ValueJet plane, which had earlier stopped to refuel, reportedly turned back about 25 minutes after takeoff when a loud crack appeared on the aircraft’s windscreen, prompting the pilot to return safely to the Luanda airport.
All players, officials, and government delegates on board were safely evacuated, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which confirmed that a cracked windscreen caused the incident.
The NFF said plans were underway for another aircraft to depart Lagos and pick up the team in Luanda.
It added that ValueJet and relevant government authorities, including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, were working to secure the necessary overflying and landing permits to ensure the team’s safe continuation to Uyo.
RN
