According to a report by The Punch, the Super Eagles are currently stuck in Angola after being forced to make an emergency landing. The chartered Value Jet aircraft carrying the Super Eagles reportedly suffered a cracked windscreen shortly after takeoff from Luanda, Angola, where it had stopped to refuel.
Fortunately, all the players are safe, thanks to the professionalism of the pilot who landed the jet safely.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in a statement, revealed that the same plane had earlier conveyed some officials to Polokwane on Friday, where the match against Lesotho was played. However, while carrying the Super Eagles back to Nigeria, it suddenly developed a cracked windscreen.
The statement read in part:
“However, after a routine refueling stop in Luanda, Angola (where the plane also stopped to refuel on Thursday night, and where the same plane had stopped to refuel to and from Bloemfontein in South Africa for the Matchday 8 encounter between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana last month), the aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air after takeoff, and the pilot did well to guide the airplane safely back to the airport in Luanda.”
The NFF also emphasized that it is working with the Minister of Transport, the Chief of Staff to the President, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to secure the necessary landing permit for another aircraft to pick up the Super Eagles and fly them safely to Lagos, Nigeria, before heading to Uyo.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to play their last World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, October 14th, against Benin Republic in Uyo. They must secure a convincing win to qualify directly for the World Cup if South Africa fails to beat Rwanda, or settle for a playoff spot if South Africa wins.
Benin Republic are already in Uyo ahead of the game. Hopefully this minor setback won't hinder the super eagles