By Michael Madyira
Bundesliga side FC Augsburg have admitted to finding it comfortable in their pre-season tour of South Africa. The Fuggerstadter are based in Mpumalanga, where they have already played one match, beating Young Africans 2-1 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
They are participating in the Mpumalanga Premier’s International Cup, with the other contestants being hosts TS Galaxy and Mbabane Swallows from Eswatini. Not only are the Bundesliga side in South Africa for friendlies, but they are also on a scouting mission.
“We actually brought our chief scout with us on this tour,” coach Jess Thorup told the media. “That is because we are interested in building our team as strong as possible. But when we’re here, when we play in such a tournament, when we play the other teams, if anything is exciting going on, we will not say no.”
It is the first time for Augsburg to play in Africa. “For me, it is also a new experience to play against a South African team,” Thorup added. “To see what kind of players and impact they can have in the games. So let us play the two games and let us see what happens.”
The Germans finished 11th in the Bundesliga last season and have in their squad Benin captain Steve Mounie, who was in South Africa in November for a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana. “It’s always nice coming to South Africa, as you know I was here in November,” Mounie said. “I hope this week will go very well and we will have a great tournament.”
Augsburg are in South Africa at a time when the big three—Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns—are training in Europe.
Pictured above: FC Augsburg in action against Young Africans
Image source: FC Augsburg
