Rivers United have expressed displeasure over refusal by the South African embassy to grant entry visas to it’s players and officials ahead of their CAF Confederation cup match against Bloemfontein Celtics.
Rivers united are due to face Celtics in the first leg first round, CAF confederation cup on Wednesday, December 23 but they have been unable to secure visas into South Africa.
Visa applications to the rainbow nation from Nigeria closed on Tuesday December 15, although rivers united having met all requirements for visa issuance have since submitted their applications.
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The club wants the South African embassy to treat it’s visa application with urgency to enable them complete their travel plans as all inbound flight from Nigeria to the South Africa ends on Friday December 18.
Rivers united feels that the non issuance of visa to it’s players is a deliberate attempt to frustrate them and hand Bloemfontein an undue advantage.
Rivers united media officer, Charles Mayuku, confirmed in a statement that the club is determined to play both legs of the encounter to earn their qualification hence the appeal to the South African embassy to treat their visa application as a priority.
(Editor: Abaje Usekwe)