The South African Consulate in Abuja has denied visa applications for the Nigerian U-18 boys' basketball team, preventing them from participating in the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket. This decision has severely disrupted Nigeria's plans to compete in the tournament, which kicks off today in South Africa, where Nigeria was scheduled to face Egypt in Pretoria.
The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) expressed profound disappointment and frustration, highlighting the lack of explanation for the visa denial. Ugo Udezue, Vice Chairman of the NBBF's Youth Development Committee, who is currently in Pretoria, remarked on the unfortunate nature of requiring visas for travel between African nations. He emphasized that this situation undermines the spirit of sportsmanship, especially given the dedication these young athletes have shown in preparing for the tournament.
Udezue also pointed out a perceived inconsistency in the treatment of teams, noting that the South African Embassy in Lagos granted visas to the Nigerian girls' team, who are already in Pretoria for their match against Egypt. This situation raises concerns about equitable treatment and support for all athletes representing Nigeria on the international stage.