The aircraft transporting Super Eagles players and officials to Uyo was forced to make an emergency landing due, causing a delay in their arrival from Polokwane ahead of Tuesday’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.
An official statement released by the Super Eagles media, Saturday, confirmed that the aircraft’s windshield had suffered damage mid-air.
“A cracked windscreen of the chartered ValueJet Airline aircraft that was conveying the Super Eagles’ delegation from Polokwane in South Africa to Uyo, for Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Benin Republic, has delayed the arrival of the players and officials in the Akwa Ibom State capital.”
The same aircraft had previously transported part of the Nigerian delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night, arriving in South Africa on Friday morning.
However, during a routine refueling stop in Luanda, the craft’s windshield cracked shortly after take-off.
The pilot responded swiftly and safely returned the aircraft to Luanda Airport.
In response to the emergency, the NFF confirmed that all relevant Nigerian authorities actively worked to ensure the team arrived in Uyo safely and in good time.
NFF detailed that the Airline is coordinating closely with key government bodies to secure all necessary flight permissions.
This includes obtaining overflight and landing clearances for another aircraft, which will depart from Lagos, pick up the delegation in Luanda, and fly them directly to Uyo.
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The team were initially scheduled to arrive in Uyo on Saturday to begin final preparations for the must-win clash against Benin, but on Sunday their arrival was confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Benin national team arrived in Nigeria earlier on Saturday, and are already settling in ahead of the match.
