The Super Eagles safely returned home on Sunday morning from Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in Polokwane, Afrosport reports.
Nigeria’s delegation of players, technical crew and staff touched down at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo at 8:05am.
The team’s journey from Polokwane took an unexpected turn when a cracked windscreen forced their chartered ValueJet aircraft to return to Luanda, just 25 minutes after take-off following a refuelling stop in the Angolan capital on Saturday.
Swift coordination between ValueJet and Federal Government authorities ensured another aircraft was dispatched from Lagos to pick up the squad. The replacement flight took off from Luanda and arrived safely in Uyo after a two-hour, 20-minute trip.
Upon arrival, players and officials settled into the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene. Reports suggest the Super Eagles will hold a training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium by on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, Group C leaders Benin Republic, who face Nigeria in Tuesday’s crucial qualifier, arrived in Uyo on Saturday and are lodged at the Ibom Icon and Golf Resort. They held a light session at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday morning.
Benin are scheduled to train on the main pitch at 5pm on Monday, while the Super Eagles will have their final session at 6:15pm.
Tuesday’s decisive Group C clash will kick off at 5pm, the same time South Africa take on Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium — a fixture that could have a major impact on the group’s final standings.
