The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that a cracked windscreen on the ValueJet Airline aircraft transporting the Super Eagles’ delegation from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has caused a delay in the team’s arrival ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic on Tuesday.
The same aircraft had initially flown members of the delegation to Polokwane on Thursday evening, arriving in South Africa early Friday morning. However, after making a routine refueling stop in Luanda, Angola — a location previously used for refueling on their flight to and from Bloemfontein for last month’s match against South Africa — the plane encountered a cracked windscreen mid-flight following takeoff.
The pilot acted quickly and safely navigated the aircraft back to Luanda Airport.
Following the incident, ValueJet Airline, along with Nigerian authorities including the Hon. Minister of Aviation, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Staff to the President, are coordinating efforts to secure the necessary overflight and landing permits. A replacement aircraft is now set to fly from Lagos to Luanda to pick up the delegation and continue their journey to Uyo.
