AGS NEWS – South Africa has denied visas to Nigeria’s national under-18 basketball team, preventing them from participating in the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket tournament in Cape Town, scheduled from December 14 to 22.

The South African Consulate in Abuja rejected the visa applications of the male players, which has jeopardized Nigeria’s participation in the tournament.

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, Ugo Udezue, confirmed the situation in a statement on Tuesday, expressing frustration over the lack of explanation and describing the denial as sabotage.

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The players, who had been training in Abuja after returning from Abidjan, are devastated by the missed opportunity to compete 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 Nigerian teams had 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 Foreign Affairs Ministry, but efforts to resolve the issue have so far been unsuccessful.