The Super Eagles of Nigeria have finally arrived in Uyo after an aircraft issue forced an emergency landing in Angola.
On Saturday, the Eagles were returning to Nigeria after their 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa, when the Valuejet aircraft they boarded suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air.
The aeroplane had stopped over in Luanda, Angola, for a routine refuelling when the incident happened after take-off, and the team had to return to the airport.
After hours of attempts to get landing approval for a new aircraft, the Super Eagles left Angola and arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Sunday.
The team landed at the Victor Attah International Airport at 8:05 am.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to take on the Squirrels of the Benin Republic in a crucial final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio stadium.
Nigeria must win the match and hope that South Africa fail to defeat Rwanda to seal an automatic ticket for the World Cup.
The Super Eagles are third in Group C with 14 points, behind Benin Republic and South Africa, who are first and second, respectively.
The breakdown of scenarios and permutations that can secure Nigeria an automatic ticket is explained here.
Group C ranking currently
- Benin – 17 pts +5
- South Africa – 15 pts +3
- Nigeria – 14 pts +3
- Rwanda – 11 pts +0
- Lesotho – 9 pts -3
- Zimbabwe – 5 pts -6
