From Joshua Chibuzo Andrew
On Saturday 11, Oct. ValueJet aircraft transporting Nigeria’s Super Eagles from South Africa made an emergency landing in Angola following the discovery of a crack in one of the plane’s windows.
The aircraft had departed South Africa en route to Uyo, Akwa Ibom, where the national team is expected to play a crucial World Cup qualifying match, before the pilot detected the fault midair and diverted for an emergency landing.
The race for qualification from Group C of the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers is set to go down to the wire after another dramatic round of matches on Friday left Benin Republic, South Africa, and Nigeria all still in contention.
With just one matchday remaining, Benin Republic currently lead the table with 17 points, followed closely by South Africa on 15 points and Nigeria on 14 points.
The decisive final fixtures on Tuesday will determine who clinches the group’s sole automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
In Durban, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were frustrated by Zimbabwe, settling for a goalless draw that dashed their hopes of early qualification. Hugo Broos’ men must now defeat Rwanda in their final game to have any chance of topping the group.
