Senegal U-20 team denied Austrian visas

The Senegal football federation announced on Friday that the under-20 team have been denied entry visas to Austria, where the group had scheduled a preparatory tour ahead of the Under-20 Fifa World Cup in New Zealand.

The body said 21 players and the technical staff were due to fly to Austria on Friday but failed to obtain visas.

Coach Joseph Koto, who published his final roster for the tournament on Thursday, claims the decision of the Austrian embassy could affect the team’s plans for the competition, but insists they will draw up a new programme to enable the junior Teranga Lions to prepare adequately for the World Cup which kicks off on May 30.

Senegal are in Group C with Portugal, Colombia and Qatar to be based in the city of Hamilton.

Senegal finished as finalists of the 2015 African Youth Championship which they hosted in March, which was won by Nigeria.

Nigeria, Ghana and Mali are the other nations to represent Africa at the Under-20 World Cup.