Super Eagles Maintain Plans Despite Setback In Flight Arrangement Ahead Of Benin Clash

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have stayed focused on their World Cup qualification mission despite a travel setback that briefly disrupted their flight plans on Saturday ahead of Tuesday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic.

Naija News reports that the Super Eagles’ chartered ValueJet aircraft, which departed Polokwane, South Africa, encountered a cracked windscreen shortly after take-off, forcing the pilots to make a precautionary return to Luanda, Angola. The scare caused a delay of a few hours, but the squad eventually arrived safely in Uyo on Sunday morning.

Upon arrival, the players and officials checked into their base at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene. Later that evening, they shook off the fatigue from the journey with a light recovery session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, where focus was placed on stretching, ball circulation, and light tactical routines.

Team officials confirmed that the group’s schedule remains intact, with one final training session set for 6:30 p.m. today at the main bowl of the stadium. Coach Eric Chelle is expected to use the session to fine-tune his strategy and decide on his starting eleven for the high-stakes encounter.

Meanwhile, Group C leaders Benin Republic have also settled into Uyo, arriving on Saturday and holding their first training session at the stadium’s practice pitch on Sunday morning. The Cheetahs are scheduled to train officially on the main turf at 5 p.m. today before the Super Eagles take their turn later in the evening.

Tuesday’s clash, which kicks off at 5 p.m., is expected to draw a massive crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Both Nigeria and Benin are firmly in the race for the group’s sole automatic qualification spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

At the same time, South Africa will host Rwanda in Mbombela, a result that could also shape the final standings in Group C.

Source: Naijanews