South Africa has rejected the visa application for Nigeria’s U18 basketball team for the 2024 FIBA event

South Africa has refused to issue visas to Nigeria’s U18 national basketball team, effectively barring them from competing in the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket tournament scheduled to be held in Cape Town from December 14 to 22. The South African Consulate in Abuja denied the visa applications for the male players.

Ugo Udezue, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, confirmed the visa denial in a statement on Tuesday, expressing frustration over the lack of explanation and labeling the action as a form of sabotage.

This decision threatens Nigeria’s participation in the tournament, which begins today with a match against Egypt. The players, who had been training in Abuja after returning from Abidjan, are deeply disheartened as their opportunity to compete in the FIBA World Championship slips away.

Udezue commented, “It is regrettable that an African country requires a visa to travel to another African country. This action contradicts the spirit of sportsmanship. These young athletes have invested so much, and it is disheartening for a visa consular officer to deny them the chance to represent Nigeria on the global stage.”

In contrast, the South African Embassy in Lagos approved visas for the girls’ team, who are currently in Pretoria for their match against Egypt. Both teams had previously qualified for the tournament by winning the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Ivory Coast.

The Nigerian Basketball Federation has lodged complaints with FIBA Africa, the South African hosts, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but attempts to resolve the issue have not yet been successful.