The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced a significant delay in the Super Eagles' arrival in Uyo for their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against Benin Republic, scheduled for Tuesday. The team's ValueJet chartered flight, transporting players and officials from Polokwane, South Africa, encountered a technical issue mid-air. After a refueling stop in Luanda, Angola, the aircraft developed a cracked windscreen shortly after taking off. The pilot, demonstrating professionalism, promptly returned the plane to Luanda airport, where it landed safely.

This incident has left the Super Eagles stranded in Luanda, while their opponents, the Benin Republic team, have already arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, ahead of the final qualifier. The same ValueJet aircraft had been used for previous trips, including the journey to and from Bloemfontein for a Matchday 8 encounter against South Africa last month, and had successfully made similar refueling stops in Luanda.

Efforts are currently underway to resolve the challenging situation. ValueJet Airline, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria—including the Ministers of Aviation and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President—is actively working to secure overflight and landing permits for another aircraft. This new plane is intended to travel from Lagos to Luanda, pick up the stranded Nigerian delegation, and transport them to Uyo as swiftly as possible.

The delay poses a potential threat to the Super Eagles' preparation and training schedule for the critical match. Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory over Lesotho, keeping their hopes alive for a 2026 World Cup qualification. However, only a win against Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic will suffice, coupled with the hope that South Africa drops points against Rwanda, to secure their ticket to the global tournament.