Emergency Landing for Plane with Premier League Stars Due to Cracked Windscreen
A recent incident involving a chartered aircraft carrying members of the Nigeria football team has raised concerns. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing due to a cracked windscreen. This incident occurred shortly after the team celebrated a victory over Lesotho.
Details of the Aircraft Emergency and Players Involved
The aircraft, operated by ValueJet Airline, was transporting five notable Premier League stars back to Nigeria. The players were returning following their World Cup qualifier match against Lesotho, which took place on October 12, 2025. During this match, Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory, with goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams leading the team. Hlompho Kalake scored the sole goal for Lesotho.
- Match Date: October 12, 2025
- Final Score: Nigeria 2, Lesotho 1
- Goals by Nigeria: William Troost-Ekong, Akor Adams
- Goal by Lesotho: Hlompho Kalake
This successful outcome positioned Nigeria third in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers, trailing Benin and South Africa.
Emergency Landing in Luanda
Shortly after takeoff, just 25 minutes into the flight, the pilots reported a serious issue with the windscreen, which had developed a heavy crack. This led to an immediate decision to land in Luanda, the capital of Angola, for refueling and safety checks.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the situation. They announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the team arrived in Uyo with a delay due to issues with the aircraft. Despite the hiccup, the Super Eagles are scheduled to face Benin in another World Cup qualifier.
Players on Board
The flight included several prominent players from the Premier League:
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
- Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham)
- Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
- Tolu Arokodare (Wolves)
Additionally, Victor Osimhen, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League, was part of the squad. Other notable players included Ademola Lookman and Wilfred Ndidi.
Nigeria’s national team has a storied history in World Cup qualifications. They first qualified for the tournament in 1994 and have participated in several since. However, they missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a disappointing playoff against Ghana.
