AfroBasket: South Africa denies Nigerian junior basketball team visas

AfroBasket: South Africa denies Nigerian junior basketball team visas

The South African Consulate in Abuja has denied players of the Nigerian U-18 boys’ basketball team visas to participate in the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket.


This decision has wrecked Nigeria’s plan to travel to the biennial tournament starting in South Africa on Tuesday (today), with Nigeria billed to face Egypt in Pretoria later in the day.

The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has expressed deep disappointment and frustration, citing a lack of explanation for the visa denial.


The Vice Chairman of the Youth Development Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Ugo Udezue, who is already in Pretoria, said: “First of all, it’s rather unfortunate that an African country needs a visa to travel to another African country. Secondly, this is against the spirit of sportsmanship. These kids have sacrificed too much for a visa consular officer to deny them the opportunity to represent Nigeria globally.”


“The act of refusing the team visas seems like a deliberate attempt to stop the Junior D’Tigers, as the South African Embassy in Lagos cleared the girls to travel, and they are already in Pretoria and set for their opening match against Egypt on Tuesday”.

Idowu Babalola Photo
Idowu Babalola

Socially Not Social. IG & Twitter - @Idbragga

All author posts
Related Posts
Premiere: ShawBiT ft Bukzy – Burst My Brain
Premiere: ShawBiT ft Bukzy - Burst My Brain

Nigerian born producer Adeboye Segun popularly known as ShawBiT makes his grand debut into the singing scene, a producer...

Premiere: Skiibii x Dtunes – Skibobo
Premiere: Skiibii x Dtunes - Skibobo

More Grace Music is pleased to announce the release of “Skibobo” by Skiibii. The sensational singer starts off the...

STREAM: Rudeboy – Somebody Baby
STREAM: Rudeboy – Somebody Baby

Rudeboy continues his journey as a solo artiste as he premieres a spanking new single just in time for...

Write A Comments