The ValueJet aircraft conveying Nigeria’s Super Eagles to Uyo for the final World Cup qualifying group game against Benin Republic has made an emergency landing due to a cracked windscreen.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the arrival of the Super Eagles and team officials in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was delayed due to a technical issue involving their chartered aircraft.
A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who is among the team’s contingent, told Sahara Reporters that the incident was “a close call that could have been worse.”
According to the source, the aircraft had departed South Africa en route to Uyo, Akwa Ibom, where the national team is expected to play a crucial World Cup qualifying match, before the pilot detected the fault midair and diverted for an emergency landing.
The race for qualification from Group C of the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers is set to go down to the wire after another dramatic round of matches on Friday left Benin Republic, South Africa, and Nigeria all still in contention.
With just one matchday remaining, Benin Republic currently lead the table with 17 points, followed closely by South Africa on 15 points and Nigeria on 14 points.
The decisive final fixtures on Tuesday will determine who clinches the group’s sole automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
In Durban, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were frustrated by Zimbabwe, settling for a goalless draw that dashed their hopes of early qualification. Hugo Broos’ men must now defeat Rwanda in their final game to have any chance of topping the group.