The South African government 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 from December 14 to 22. The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has expressed deep disappointment and frustration, citing a lack of explanation for the visa denial.
Ugo Udezue, Vice Chairman of the NBBF Youth Development Committee, criticized the decision as sabotage and an affront to sportsmanship. The boys’ team, who trained in Abuja and were expected to face Egypt today, are in shock as their chance to compete fades. Meanwhile, the Nigerian girls’ team, cleared by the South African Embassy in Lagos, is already in Pretoria for their match against Egypt.
The NBBF has appealed to FIBA Africa, the South African hosts, and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, but these efforts have so far been ineffective.
