Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has successfully coordinated the safe and timely return of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, from Luanda, Angola, to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the intervention followed an unexpected incident in Luanda, where the team’s aircraft was grounded due to a cracked windscreen during a refuelling stop.
He noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, directed the Nigerian Mission in Angola to immediately activate diplomatic channels to facilitate a replacement aircraft and secure necessary flight clearances.
Mr Ebienfa added that through coordinated diplomatic outreach, the Nigerian Mission obtained critical overflight and landing permits across five countries — Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola.
This decisive effort, he said, ensured that the replacement aircraft operated seamlessly, enabling the Super Eagles to depart Luanda without further delay.
“Ambassador Tuggar personally directed the mission to work closely with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi; the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko; and aviation and diplomatic authorities in the region to expedite the process.
“Our priority was clear — to ensure that our national team returned home safely and in time to prepare for their World Cup qualifier,” a senior ministry source confirmed.
Mr Ebienfa said the Ministry’s swift action has been widely praised as a model of proactive diplomacy in the service of national interest, highlighting how coordinated international engagement can resolve unforeseen challenges efficiently.
Meanwhile, Benin Republic’s national team has already arrived in Uyo, setting the stage for a decisive encounter on Tuesday.
With Nigeria’s squad now expected to land safely following the Ministry’s intervention, national focus will return to the pitch, where the Super Eagles aim to sustain their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes.