The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Eagles’ arrival in Uyo for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic has been delayed.
The chartered ValueJet Airline aircraft conveying the team from Polokwane, South Africa, suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air after taking off from a refueling stop in Luanda, Angola.
Fortunately, the pilot’s swift action ensured the safe return of the plane to Luanda airport.
The NFF has 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 tirelessly 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.
This development comes after the Super Eagles’ 2-1 victory over Lesotho in their previous match, keeping their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
Meanwhile, the Benin Republic delegation arrived in Uyo on Saturday afternoon, ahead of the highly anticipated clash with the Super Eagles.
The match is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for a crucial win in their World Cup qualification campaign.
Persecondnews reports that the Super Eagles face a make-or-break situation in Group C, where only the group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup.
The team will need to secure a win against Benin Republic and hope that South Africa drops points in their final fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive.
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