Vortex in the World Cup qualification
National team has to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff
Updated 10/13/2025 – 6:26 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The flight back home became an unpleasant affair for Nigeria’s national team. Shortly after takeoff, the plane turned back.
The return journey from the successful World Cup qualifier against Lesotho was unintentionally turbulent for Nigeria’s national team. On the way home, the team around Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman had to make an emergency landing in Angola.
After a scheduled refueling stop in Luanda, the “Super Eagles” charter plane took off again. But shortly afterwards an incident occurred: a crack in the windshield forced the pilot to fly back to the Angolan capital a few minutes after takeoff.
As the Nigerian association NFF announced, the team has now arrived in the Nigerian city of Uyo unscathed. The last group game against Benin is on Tuesday. The encounter is crucial in the race to qualify for the World Cup.
Nigeria’s national team had previously won 2-1 against Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday. With this victory, the team remains in the race for the World Cup ticket. In the group, the three-time African champions are with 14 points, just behind South Africa (15) and Benin (17), which is coached by German coach Gernot Rohr.