The aircraft transporting Nigeria’s Super Eagles from South Africa to Uyo for their final World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic was forced to make an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday after experiencing a technical issue mid-flight.
The ValueJet plane, which had initially landed in Luanda for refuelling, reportedly returned to the airport about 25 minutes after takeoff when a loud crack was heard on the aircraft’s windshield. This prompted the pilot to initiate emergency procedures.
The same aircraft had previously flown some members of the team’s delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night, arriving in South Africa on Friday morning.
All passengers on board—including players, officials, and government representatives—were safely evacuated after the emergency landing.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the incident, stating that a cracked windscreen was responsible for the unscheduled return.
“After a routine refuelling stop in Luanda, Angola (the same stop made on Thursday night and also during the team’s previous trip to and from Bloemfontein for the Matchday 8 fixture against South Africa), the aircraft developed a cracked windscreen shortly after takeoff. The pilot did an excellent job bringing the aircraft back safely to the Luanda airport,” the NFF stated.
The NFF added that arrangements are underway to dispatch another aircraft from Lagos to retrieve the team.
“ValueJet Airline, along with key federal authorities—including the Hon. Minister of Aviation, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Staff to the President—are working diligently to secure the necessary overflight and landing permits for another aircraft to depart Lagos, collect the delegation from Luanda, and transport them to Uyo,” the statement read.
