Remo Stars’ preparations for their CAF Champions League return leg against Mamelodi Sundowns have been disrupted due to delays in visa processing by the South African Consulate General in Lagos.
Despite submitting travel applications early, only a portion of the team initially received entry visas. Out of 43 applications submitted on October 10 — nine days before last Sunday’s first leg in Abeokuta — just 11 were approved initially, later rising to 26, including only 12 players.
The delay forced the Nigerian side to cancel their early Thursday morning flight with Air Tanzania and hotel bookings in South Africa. Club officials expressed concern that the visa issues could hinder their participation in the crucial return leg following Sundowns’ 5-1 first-leg victory.
The situation echoes a similar incident in September 2024, when Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigers basketball team was reportedly denied visas by the South African Consulate in Abuja, preventing them from competing internationally.
Remo Stars are now scrambling to secure the remaining visas ahead of this weekend’s match.
