Due to a system error with the visa, South Africa has refused entry to Kristijan Jakic and Nediljko Labrovic. The Croatians from FC Augsburg have since returned to Frankfurt.
Kristijan Jakic was denied entry to South Africa. IMAGO/Thomas Frey
Frank Linkesch reports from Augsburg’s training camp in White River/South Africa
A nasty surprise for goalkeeper Nediljko Labrovic and number six Kristijan Jakic at Johannesburg airport. When they arrived on Thursday, the system spat them out under Nigerian names. When they left Germany, everything had been fine with the visa and there were no complaints. The error obviously lies in the South African system, but the authorities showed no mercy to the FCA players.
First, they were held at the airport for hours, and their passports and cell phones were confiscated. FCA managing director Michael Ströll decided not to travel with the team to Mbombela, but stood by the players and negotiated. Despite the documents being submitted later, the situation did not resolve itself for the better. Labrovic and Jakic were deported and flew back with Ströll to the original stopover in Dubai.
The FCA contacted the authorities and the DFL in Germany, but so far without success. The two Croatians have now landed back in Frankfurt and are keeping fit individually. Ströll joined the FCA delegation on Saturday afternoon during the friendly match against the Tanzanian champions Young Africans SC.
Giannoulis transfer on the home stretch
Now the hope is that the matter can be resolved by Monday and that the players can then travel from Frankfurt that evening. Perhaps even with Dimitrios Giannoulis, the free transfer left-back from Greece. Despite prominent competitors, especially from Greece, FCA sees itself on the home stretch in signing the player, who is then due to travel to South Africa.
In the test against the Young Africans, coach Jess Thorup saw two different halves in the 2-1 victory. He was happy with the first, but not with the second and a completely new eleven. “I was a bit disappointed with the second half, I have to say honestly. We allowed too many scoring opportunities, I wasn’t happy with that,” said the Dane. In the second and final test match during the training camp, FCA will face South African hosts Galaxy TS, sixth in the national championship, next Saturday.
2024-07-20 19:08:41
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