Augsburg Coach – Forgotten Bafana Man Should Inspire More PSL Players

FC Augsburg coach Jess Thorup believes Gift Links’ journey should inspire more players from South Africa to seek opportunities in Europe.

The 25-year-old Links has been with Danish side AGF Aarhus since 2019 having joined them from Cape Town City at age 21. Thorup and his Bundesliga outfit spent their pre-season tour of South Africa in Mpumalanga, partaking in the Mpumalanga International Premier’s Cup.

Speaking to the media in an interview carried in edition 164 of iDiski Times, the Danish coach said he had been impressed by the former South African international’s progress. He added that though it was not easy for Links in the beginning, South African players can learn from him and be inspired.

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“Yeah, that’s right and that of course, is what we hope for in Denmark, that we also can bring in players and give them an opportunity to develop,” Thorup said.

“Gift had an amazing development over the last year. When a first time playing in a game, youknow, he was a small guy, coming on – yes he could do a couple of dribblings, but he was too skinny.

“We didn’t believe in him but over the years, I think he developed now to be a great player in the league and I think for the South African players [based in South Africa], seeing that there is also an opportunity to go to Europe and achieve something, I think it’s great,” he added.