Panic in the air, hope on the ground. As Benin’s Cheetahs pitch camp in Uyo, Nigeria’s Super Eagles battle turbulence — not just on the pitch, but mid-air — with their World Cup dreams hanging by a thread.
As tension mounts ahead of Tuesday’s make-or-break 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown, drama has struck the Nigerian camp as the Super Eagles remain stranded in Luanda, Angola, while their opponents, the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, have already touched down in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Nigerian delegation’s return was unexpectedly delayed after the ValueJet aircraft conveying the team from Polokwane, South Africa, developed a technical fault mid-air. The plane, which had made a scheduled refuelling stop in Luanda, suffered a cracked windscreen shortly after take-off, forcing the pilot to execute a safe emergency landing back at the Angolan airport.
While Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, and his players arrived early in Uyo to begin training and tactical preparations, the Super Eagles remain grounded, awaiting new travel arrangements from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Sources close to the team said frantic efforts are underway to charter another aircraft to convey the players and coaching crew back to Nigeria. However, the delay threatens to disrupt the squad’s final training sessions and tactical briefings ahead of the crucial encounter.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Nigeria’s narrow 2–1 victory over Lesotho in their previous outing kept them within touching distance of qualification, but only a win against Rohr’s resilient Benin side will sustain their World Cup hopes — especially if South Africa stumble against Rwanda.
With millions of fans on edge and the football fraternity holding its breath, the nation’s pride — and the Super Eagles’ path to the 2026 World Cup — now hang in the balance.
PIONEER NEWS 