Renowned sports journalist Charles Anazodo has condemned the South African Consulate in Lagos for allegedly denying visas to 14 out of 26 Nigerian footballers from Remo Stars Football Club, ahead of their CAF Champions League return leg against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Nigerian club’s travel plans were thrown into disarray after visa delays disrupted their preparations for the crucial fixture.
According to Sports Village Square, Remo Stars had submitted 43 visa applications on October 10 — nine days before the first leg in Abeokuta — but only 11 were initially approved. The number was later increased to 26, of which just 12 were players.
As a result, the club was forced to cancel its early Thursday morning flight booking with Air Tanzania and hotel reservations in South Africa.
Reacting to the development, Anazodo described the consulate’s action as “unfair and unprofessional,” adding that it undermines the spirit of African football.
“The shenanigans in African football just seem to have no end. How and why will the South African consulate in Lagos deny Remo Stars’ contingent of deserving visas? Only 12 players granted passage out of the 26 who had their passports stamped,” Anazodo wrote.
He added that the situation was particularly unjust given that South African club Mamelodi Sundowns faced no difficulty entering Nigeria for their own fixtures.
“This is unfair to say the least and very unsporting. Sundowns’ journey to Nigeria was without incident. @CAF_Online must look at these kinds of antics seriously and sanction clubs involved in such disturbing behaviour. African football has to grow beyond such petty things. @RemoStarsSC is a decent club and doesn’t deserve treatment like this,” he said.