Bundesliga club FC Augsburg intrigued by PSL talent

Thorup spoke to SABC Sport on Friday at Augsburg’s home, the WWK Arena, where they are hosting various media partners to educate them on German football culture. 

Thorup says their visit, which saw them lose 2-1 to TS Galaxy in the Mpumalanga Premier’s Cup, opened their eyes to a lot they didn’t know about South African football.

"Let us say we enjoyed our trip there, it gave us opportunities to learn a little bit about the culture, society, and it was a very warm welcome we got there," he reflected.

"The facilities were great, we had two very good weeks of preparation there, and of course we also had the opportunity to play against two teams [Galaxy and Young Africans].

"It was a, let us say, nice experience to also see what we can learn from the African teams, what they can add to our way of playing, and it's of course a league we have an eye on to see if there's some talents we can use in the future."

The Fuggerstadt, as the club is commonly known, signed Nigerian international midfielder Frank Onyeka on loan from Brentford FC in August, and Thorup says his responsibility is to bring the best out of the 27-year-old, who missed the Super Eagles' recent camp.

"I think he played an amazing season in one of the top leagues in Europe, so I was very surprised [he was left out of the Nigerian squad], I was sure that Frank would be part of it and I was even hoping that we would probably be in the line-up and playing," he added.

"So I think we were all surprised but that's the decision of their coach, and that's how it is. Frank can only continue performing like he's doing and hope to be selected next time."

READ: Lothar Matthaus’ views on German wonderkids Wirtz, Musiala