The Super Eagles of Nigeria arrived safely in Uyo on Sunday morning after a replacement aircraft was deployed by ValueJet Airlines to bring the team home following a mid-air emergency in Angola.
The incident occurred when the ValueJet chartered flight, which was transporting the team from South Africa after their 2–1 victory over Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, developed a cracked windscreen shortly after taking off from Luanda during a refuelling stop.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the pilot managed to turn the aircraft around and make a safe emergency landing at Luanda Airport, avoiding what could have been a more serious situation.
In a statement, the NFF said: “The cracked windscreen of the chartered ValueJet Airline aircraft conveying the Super Eagles’ delegation from Polokwane in South Africa to Uyo has delayed the arrival of the players and officials in the Akwa Ibom State capital.”
The Federation added that ValueJet worked closely with the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President to secure the necessary flight and landing permits for the replacement aircraft to convey the team back to Nigeria.
The NFF further confirmed that the same aircraft had previously transported members of the delegation to and from South Africa for recent World Cup qualifying matches.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Eforge, assured fans that all team members were safe. “We are all fine and all is well with the team,” he said on Saturday night.
SportsRation confirms that the team touched down at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, by 8:10am on Sunday to resume preparations for their next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic scheduled for Tuesday.