Renowned sports journalist Charles Anazodo has slammed the South African Consulate in Lagos for denying visas to 14 out of 26 Nigerian footballers from Remo Stars’ club.
Remo Stars’ preparations for their CAF Champions League return leg against Mamelodi Sundowns were thrown into confusion due to visa delays by the South African Consulate General in Lagos.
According to Sports Village Square, despite the Nigerian club’s early application for travel documents, only a group of the team received entry visas, forcing the cancellation of their initial travel plans.
Club officials told Sports Village Square that out of 43 visa applications submitted on October 10, nine days before last Sunday’s first leg in Abeokuta, only 11 were initially approved. The number was later increased to 26, but just 12 were players.
As a result, Remo Stars had to cancel their early Thursday morning flight booking with Air Tanzania and their hotel reservations in South Africa.
Reacting to the news, Anazodo criticized the decision as unfair and unprofessional, arguing that it reflects poorly on African football.
He also questioned why the consulate would refuse visas to part of the team, allowing only 12 out of 26 players to travel, especially when the South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns, faced no issues entering Nigeria for their own fixtures.-
