The plane carrying the Nigerian team from South Africa to Uyo for its final World Cup qualifier was forced to make an emergency landing in Angola on Saturday, the Nigeria team’s media representatives said. The aircraft took off from Polokwane in South Africa and made a scheduled refueling stop in the Angolan capital, Luanda, before heading for southern Nigeria.
But 25 minutes into that journey, the pilot was forced to return to Luanda “after a heavy crack on the aircraft’s wind shield distorted what had started as a smooth flight”, the Super Eagles’ representative said.
The players, officials, and government delegates onboard left the aircraft and were waiting for a new plane. Nigeria hosts Benin on Tuesday in a must-win game as it attempts to clinch qualification for next year’s World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, Nigeria still have a chance of reaching the 2026 Fifa World Cup after registering a nervy 2-1 away win over Lesotho. The Super Eagles remain three points behind Group C leaders Benin, who grabbed a late 1-0 victory in Rwanda and are aiming to secure a place at the finals for the very first time.
South Africa are the other team in with a chance of topping the group, but their chances suffered a blow when they were held to a goalless draw on home turf by 10-man Zimbabwe in Durban.
Bafana Bafana are in the second position, two points behind Benin and one clear of third-placed Nigeria. Only the group winners are guaranteed a spot at the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Nigeria host Benin in the final round of games on Tuesday and will leapfrog their West African rivals if they win by a two-goal margin.
