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Galatasaray released an early Sunday message of support to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen after a plane carrying the Nigeria national football team made an emergency landing due to a cracked windscreen.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Super Eagles’ aircraft — operated by ValueJet Airline — was flying from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo, Nigeria, when it suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air shortly after take-off.
The pilot was forced to return to Luanda, Angola, where the plane landed safely.
“The aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air shortly after take-off, and the pilot did well to guide the plane safely back to the airport,” the NFF said in a statement, adding that efforts are underway to arrange another flight to bring the team home ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.
Galatasaray expressed concern following the incident, issuing a statement “The plane carrying the Nigeria national team made an emergency landing at the airport in Luanda, Angola, shortly after take-off due to a crack that formed on the front windscreen. We extend our best wishes to our player Victor Osimhen and everyone on board.”
The Turkish club wished Osimhen and the Nigerian delegation a swift recovery from the ordeal.
When Galatasaray signed Victor Osimhen for €75 million this summer, the move shocked much of European football.
It was a record fee for a Turkish club and a decisive statement of ambition. “We spent a lot of money,” Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk told The Athletic, “It was like a miracle for a Turkish team to sign someone for €75 million (approximately $88 million).”
Osimhen had spent the 2024–25 season on loan from Napoli and scored 37 goals in 41 appearances.
Galatasaray supporters quickly embraced him, and he became a key part of the dressing room. “He loved our supporters, and they loved him,” Buruk said. “There was a really big connection. He was very happy here.”
The €75 million fee shattered the club’s previous transfer ceiling, which had stood at €20 million.
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