Flight Turbulence Sparks 12-Hour Delay for Nigeria’s Super Eagles Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
12 October 2025
Flight Chaos Strikes as Super Eagles Return Leg Delayed
Five Premier League players, including Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, were part of Nigeria's Super Eagles squad that faced a chaotic aviation incident after their Africa Cup qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup.
According to Goal, the return flight had to make an emergency landing after a crack appeared in the cockpit windshield, delaying the journey by about 12 hours.
The team had been heading home following a 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa.
The squad traveled on a ValueJet Airline charter, the same carrier the Nigerian team has used on previous trips to South America.
During refueling in Luanda, pilots discovered windshield damage about 25 minutes after takeoff and were forced to return to Luanda.
With help from senior government officials, including the presidency, foreign ministry, and aviation ministry, Nigeria secured permission for a second plane to fly the team from Lagos to their final destination.
The Nigerian Football Federation said the effort involved securing flight and landing authorizations for the additional aircraft.
The squad finally reached their destination on Sunday morning, landing in Iwo, Akwa Ibom state, at 8:05 a.m., after a 12-hour delay.
Five Premier League stars on the roster include Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham); Frank Onyeka (Brentford); Tolu Arokodari (Wolverhampton); along with Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta).
Nigeria sit third in their World Cup qualifying group after nine matches, three points behind Benin and one behind South Africa, with Benin leading the standings on 17 points.
Across Africa, the World Cup places are largely decided, with Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia already assured direct berths.
Historically, the Super Eagles are among Africa's most successful teams: founded in 1945, FIFA members since 1959, AFCON titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013, and six World Cup appearances with three runs to the knockout stage.
The piece also recalls stars who shone for Nigeria, such as Kanu, Okocha, Mikel, and Mila.
There were similar travel hiccups for Newcastle United players Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton on the way to Brazil, with their flight returning due to a window crack and extra travel time before joining their first World Cup warm-up match in Amsterdam. They later prepared for a game against Japan before returning to England for Newcastle's clash with Brighton on October 18, raising questions about the toll of international windows on players.
Ultimately, Nigeria's footballing legacy remains strong. The Super Eagles, formed in 1945 and FIFA members since 1959, have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times (1980, 1994, 2013) and have appeared in six World Cups, with several stars leaving lasting imprints on the game globally.
Punchline time: If aviation delays were a sport, Nigeria would be the undefeated champions of overtime. Punchline 2: The plane cracked a windshield, but the team’s resolve remained glass-free and ready for kickoff. And yes, even discounts on patience have limits—ask the fans waiting for the next goal!
