LAGOS, The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, narrowly escaped disaster after their plane made an emergency landing when its windscreen cracked mid-flight on their return from South Africa.
The team was travelling from Polokwane to Uyo after securing a 2-1 win over Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier on Friday when the pilot was forced to divert the flight for safety reasons.
In a statement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that all players and officials were safe, though their arrival in Uyo has been delayed ahead of Tuesday’s crucial qualifier against Benin.
“The Super Eagles’ flight encountered a technical issue involving a cracked windscreen. The pilot made an emergency landing as a precautionary measure. Thankfully, everyone is safe, and arrangements are being made for the team’s onward journey,” the NFF said.
The frightening mid-air incident comes just as the Super Eagles are building momentum in their World Cup qualification campaign, adding unexpected drama to their road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
