On the way to the FIFA World Cup qualifier, the Nigerian team plane had to make an emergency landing

The plane carrying the Nigerian team from South Africa to Uyo for the final World Cup qualifier had to make an emergency landing in Angola on Saturday, media representatives of the Nigerian team said.

The plane took off from Polokwane in South Africa and made a scheduled refueling stop in the Angolan capital Luanda before heading to southern Nigeria.

But 25 minutes into the trip, the pilot was forced to return to Luanda “after a severe tear in the plane’s windshield disrupted what was initially considered a smooth flight,” the Super Eagles representative said.

The players, officials and government representatives on board left the plane and waited for a new plane.

Nigeria hosts Benin on Tuesday in a must-win match as the country tries to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Published on October 12, 2025