The Nigerian professional footballer and Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi has escaped a plane crash. Mikel and the other Middlesbrough players were at risk, as the club had to call off their flight home from Newport County as the plane was grounded due to engine failure.

CEOAfrica gathered through Footballlive.mg that Mikel was among the Middlesbrough players.

The officials of the English Championship club called off a flight that would have taken the squad for their next league fixture.

Recall that the football world is still in mourning following missing flight saga involving Cardiff City signing, Emiliano Sala.

Mikel and other members were forced to about-turn on the Cardiff Airport runway, following their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to League Two, Newport County.

They then re-boarded the team bus and returned to Middlesbrough by road, meaning the team did not return until 7am, with the players having to sleep on the way home.