Zimbabwe national football team coach Zdravko Logarui? has been denied entry into South Africa because of a visa mix-up blamed on his travel agents.
Logarui? had travelled with the Zimbabwe national team to participate in the 2021 COSAFA Cup, which kicked off in Nelson Mandela Bay on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) officials on Wednesday said they were “dismayed” that despite “prior arrangements” Logarui? was not allowed to enter South Africa.
Zifa said travel agencies in Zimbabwe wrongly assured them Logarui?’s valid Zimbabwe work permit was all he needed to enter SA.
Logarui? is from Croatia.
However, when Logarui? arrived with the Zimbabwe national team at OR Tambo International Airport the 55-year-old was denied entry.
The team proceeded without their coach, who has returned to Zimbabwe.
Immigration officers at OR Tambo explained that only service and diplomatic passport holders from Croatia are exempt from visa requirements in SA.
Although Zimbabwe, who are in group B, managed a goalless draw against Mozambique on Wednesday, Zifa said it was working on getting the correct visa for Logarui?.
Once the visa is sorted he will join the Zimbabwe national team.
