Five Premier League players – including Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey – were among those to endure flight chaos after jetting out of Nigeria's latest 2026 World Cup qualifier. There was midair mayhem during that journey as a cracked windscreen forced the plane that the Super Eagles were travelling on to make an emergency landing. Said trip was eventually completed some 12 hours later than initially planned.

Why Nigerian plane was forced into unscheduled pitstop

The Nigeria squad was heading home after playing out a qualification clash in Polokwane, South Africa. They emerged triumphant in that contest, with a 2-1 victory being picked up against Lesotho. A chartered ValueJet Airline – the same carrier that had taken the team to South America – was used for the return journey.

Once it emerged that damage had been suffered to the plane’s windscreen, those on board were left with no choice but to revise their plans. The jet in question had stopped in the Angolan capital of Luanda for refuelling. After being in the air for a further 25 minutes, it emerged that an unscheduled pitstop would need to be taken. The plane returned to Luanda and landed safely.

AdvertisementHow Nigeria were able to resolve the issue

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that a delay had been suffered en route to Uyo, where the Super Eagles are due to face Benin on Tuesday. Government officials, including the president's chief of staff, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Aviation were able to secure permission for another airline to fly out from Lagos and collect the team.

A statement from the NFF read: "The ValueJet Airline and the relevant Federal Government of Nigeria authorities are working assiduously to get the necessary overflying and landing permits for another aircraft to fly from Lagos, pick the delegation in Luanda, and fly them to Uyo."

The replacement plane eventually completed the journey on Sunday morning, with almost 12 hours of disruption being brought to a close. Team media officer Promise Efoghe said in a statement issued to the media: "Finally, Super Eagles arrive in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. The team touched down at 8.05 am Sunday morning."

Nigeria’s squad includes five players from the Premier League. They are Iwobi, Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze of Fulham, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and Tolu Arokodare of Wolves. Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman are among the other star names in the Super Eagles’ ranks. They currently sit third in their World Cup qualification group, three points behind table-topping Benin and one adrift of South Africa in an ongoing bid to secure a play-off spot.

Similar issues for Newcastle's Brazilian duo

Nigeria are not the first team to endure airplane chaos during the latest international break. Newcastle United duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton suffered similar issues when attempting to link up with the Brazil squad.

Their aircraft was also forced to turn around due to a broken window. They were heading out to Seoul for a friendly date with South Korea. The Selecao are also taking in a meeting with Japan during their time in the Far East. Guimaraes and Joelinton both arrived in time for the first of those fixtures.

They did, however, spend more time in Amsterdam than they had planned before landing in Asia. They are said to have spent around 12 hours in the air after leaving an airport in the Netherlands and returning to it once a problem was identified.

Getty Images SportQuestions asked of travel in international windows

The Brazilian football authorities scrambled to make alternative arrangements, with direct flights and those with potential connections explored. Said journey was eventually completed, with Guimaraes playing 79 minutes and recording an assist in a 5-0 win over South Korea.

Joelinton saw no game time, meaning that he will be desperate to figure against Japan on Tuesday. Whatever happens, the Magpies duo will have taken in around 10,000 miles of travel before returning to England for a Premier League game with Brighton on October 18 – with more questions being asked of the demands being placed on international performers in 2025 and the windows that are packed into three months early in domestic club campaigns.