The Nigeria Under-18 boys’ basketball team faces an uncertain future as their participation in the 2024 FIBA Under-18 Afrobasket hangs in the balance. The South African Consulate in Abuja has refused to grant visas to the team, jeopardizing their ability to compete in the tournament scheduled to take place in South Africa.
The team, which had been rigorously preparing in Abuja after their return from Abidjan, was set to face Egypt in Pretoria this week. The unexpected visa denial has left the players disheartened and frustrated, undermining their months of preparation and hard work.
Ugo Udezue, Vice Chairman of the Youth Development Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), expressed his deep disappointment over the situation. Udezue criticized the necessity of obtaining visas for travel between African countries, calling it a violation of the spirit of sportsmanship.
“It’s rather unfortunate that an African country needs a visa to travel to another African country,” Udezue said. “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 situation contrasts sharply with the experience of the Nigeria Under-18 girls’ basketball team, which has been granted clearance by the South African Embassy in Lagos. The female team is already in Pretoria, ready to compete against Egypt in their opening match.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams had successfully qualified through the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers, and the NBBF had submitted a joint letter with the names of both teams to the South African embassy. Despite this, only the girls’ team received the necessary visas.
In response to the visa refusal, the NBBF has filed complaints with FIBA Africa, the South African hosts, and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, seeking intervention and resolution. However, efforts by South African officials in Pretoria have yet to produce a favorable outcome, leaving the fate of the Nigeria Under-18 boys’ basketball team in limbo.
