Brondby without South African international Lebogang Phiri for Hibs clash after UK Visa delay

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

Brondby will be without highly-rated midfielder Lebogang Phiri against Hibs after the South Africa international failed to receive a visa in time for Thursday’s clash in Edinburgh.

The Danish outfit applied for the paperwork immediately following their 10-1 aggregate win over Icelandic minnows Valur last week.

However, that did not leave enough time for the application to be processed, with Brondby sporting director Troels Bech blaming the United Kingdom authorities for the delay.

Phiri, 21, featured in both legs of the triumph over Valur and would have been likely to play some part against the Hibees.

Bech told Brondby’s official website: “The UK authorities could not work fast enough to produce a visa for Phiri.

“We applied for a visa for him after we qualified for the second round of the Europa League qualifier on Thursday but it was not enough time. We have tried to push for getting a visa, but it has not be possible.”