The aircraft carrying Nigeria’s Super Eagles from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for their final World Cup qualifier, made an emergency landing in Luanda, Angola.
The Value Jet aircraft had made an initial stop in Luanda to refuel before embarking on the trip to Uyo.
But twenty-five minutes into the flight, the pilot made a U-turn into Luanda after a heavy crack on the aircraft’s wind shield distorted what had started as a smooth flight.
The players, officials and government delegates onboard have since disembarked the aircraft and await the airline operator’s swift response to the situation.
The delegations of Nigeria and Benin Republic were scheduled to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 10 encounter at the Godswill Akpab Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar will be referee for Tuesday’s explosive battle, with his compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed Tawfik Ali and Mahmoud Moustafa Elbana in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official.
Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor; Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner and; Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will work as security officer.io Stadium.
PHOTO:
The damaged windscreen
Extrasportnigeria 
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