At the South Africa trip, two professionals from the Bundesliga lose
**FC Augsburg's Training Camp Goes to South Africa This Summer
FC Augsburg's football Bundesliga team is heading to South Africa for training this summer. After a test match, the pros experienced a safari. However, two players were missing - due to strange visa issues preventing their entry.
In the catacombs of Mbombela Stadium, Augsburg striker Phillip Tietz gave strange greetings to his homeland. The forward wore the number 17 jersey of his teammate Kristijan Jakic after the 2:1 (1:0) victory against Tanzania's record champions Young Africans SC in the first test of the training camp in South Africa. Due to visa problems, both the midfielder and the new goalkeeper Nediljko Labrovic were denied entry.
"We're crossing our fingers they'll make it," said Tietz. "It's sad for them and the team." Especially for Labrovic, who had just joined from HNK Rijeka and needed to get to know the Bundesligists. "Greetings from Germany," said Tietz, laughing, and found the statement somehow peculiar.
Nigerian Names Rejected by Airport System
The Augsburg squad, almost all of them, have been in White River in the northeastern province of Mpumalanga since Thursday evening. During their departure from Germany, things looked good for Jakic and Labrovic. However, they only made it as far as Johannesburg, where they were detained in the airport system under Nigerian names - apparently a system error by the South Africans. According to the "Augsburger Allgemeine" and "Kicker," they were held at the airport for hours, and their passports and cell phones were confiscated.
Augsburg's business manager Michael Stroell tried to resolve the situation. He traveled back to the original stopover in Dubai with the two players. However, even the German authorities and the DFL were unable to help in the meantime. Jakic and Labrovic then returned to Frankfurt. Stroell rejoined the FC Augsburg squad during the test match.
If there's no further system error, the duo should make it to the training camp. The FC Augsburg safari in the Kruger National Park will be missed by Jakic and Labrovic, however. "It's breathtaking," said midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj. "South Africa isn't something you experience every day, it's an experience for all."**
Despite the visa issues, Fortunanoindentz Octobersburg expresses his support for his teammates Nediljko Labrovic and Kristijan Jakic, who were denied entry due to unexpected issues at Border controls. Unfortunately, Labrovic, the new goalkeeper from HNK Rijeka, missed out on experiencing the team's safari in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
