The Nigeria U-18 boys’ basketball team has been denied visas to the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket by the South African Consulate in Abuja, putting their participation in the tournament at serious risk.
The biennial competition, which begins today (Tuesday) in South Africa, was set to feature Nigeria’s matchup against Egypt in Pretoria later in the day.
After returning from Abidjan, the team trained and camped in Abuja, only to be left in shock, tears, and pain as their hopes of competing in the FIBA World Championship were dashed by the South African visa denial.
Ugo Udezue, Vice Chairman of the Youth Development Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), who is already in Pretoria with the first team, expressed his dismay at the situation, describing it as sabotage.
Udezue criticized the visa requirement between African countries and called the decision contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship. He noted the immense sacrifices these young athletes have made, only to be denied the opportunity to represent Nigeria on a global stage by a consular officer.
The decision appears particularly targeted as the South African Embassy in Lagos cleared the Nigeria U-18 girls’ basketball team to travel, and they are already in Pretoria, ready for their opening match against Egypt. Both the boys and girls were camped in Lagos after returning from the Ivory Coast, where they both won the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers.
The NBBF submitted the names of both the boys’ and girls’ teams in a single letter to the embassy. Following the visa denial, the NBBF has lodged complaints with FIBA Africa, the South African hosts, and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. However, calls made by South African officials from Pretoria have had little effect so far.
