Nigerian Basketball teams denied visa to South Africa
The South African government has denied visas to Nigeria’s national under-18 basketball teams, preventing them from participating in the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket competition scheduled to take place in Cape Town from December 14 to 22. This development has caused significant disappointment and frustration among the Nigerian players and officials.
The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) expressed shock and dismay over the visa refusal, which they claim was done without any justification. Ugo Udezue, Vice Chairman of the NBBF’s Youth Development Committee, described South Africa’s actions as “total sabotage,” according to a report by Sahara Reports.
Despite the girls’ team receiving visas from the South African Embassy in Lagos and already being in Pretoria for their opening game against Egypt, the boys’ team was denied entry.
Both teams had been practicing and camping in Abuja after returning from Abidjan, where they won the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers. The decision has jeopardized Nigeria’s participation in the tournament.
The NBBF has lodged a complaint with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the South African hosts, and FIBA Africa, but their efforts have so far been ineffective. The situation has left the Nigerian players devastated as their hopes of competing in the FIBA U18 Afrobasket tournament are now in doubt.
