Fenerbahçe’s promising 18-year-old Senegalese midfielder Abdou Aziz Fall has had his pre-season preparations disrupted after an administrative issue prevented him from joining the squad’s training camp in Portugal.
Signed last week from local Senegalese side Essamay FC, Fall found himself stranded in Türkiye due to the absence of a Schengen visa — a requirement for entry into Portugal.
The delay in securing proper travel documentation has meant the highly-rated U17 African champion, who claimed continental glory in 2023, was unable to travel with his new teammates to Algarve-based facilities. Instead, the midfielder has remained in Istanbul, conducting individual training sessions until his visa is approved.
Fenerbahçe’s summer tour, designed to ease players into the new season through fitness drills, tactical rehearsals and friendly matches, will proceed without Fall.
Although the club holds high hopes for the teenager, deemed one of Senegal’s brightest prospects, it has made clear that administrative formalities remain a priority before he can be fully integrated.
Club officials have described the setback as “temporary,” stressing that there is every intention to complete the necessary paperwork swiftly. Once his visa arrives, Fall is expected to join the team in Portugal and take his place in the senior squad for subsequent sessions.
While this delay is frustrating, the club remains patient, citing completion of full legal and immigration protocols as an essential foundation for his development at the Süper Lig club.
Fall’s youth career has drawn attention since his emergence with Keur Madior and his subsequent success on the international stage for Senegal’s U17 side.
His performance in the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations resonated across the continent, and Fenerbahçe viewed him as a long-term project, valuing his technical ability, vision and midfield versatility.
Despite this initial hurdle, the club is aware that the coming season will demand patience and support. According to insiders, the club’s youth development department has constructed an individual training programme for Fall, helping to maintain his fitness and sharpness remotely.
The club is also arranging for regular contact with first-team coaches, thereby ensuring he remains engaged with tactics and team dynamics.
For Fall, the initial period away from the squad may be a test of mental resilience. However, sources close to the player say he remains focused and determined to rejoin his teammates as soon as possible.
His commitment to overcoming the setback underscores his ambition and readiness to compete at a higher level.
Once cleared to travel, Fall will be expected to gradually increase his involvement in training drills and scrimmages, adjusting to the intensity of professional football in Türkiye.
Fenerbahçe have emphasised that any match play during their Portuguese tour will only be considered once the visa delay is resolved and the youngster is fully fit and compliant.
Fenerbahçe’s director of football commented that the club views Fall’s signing as “an investment in the future,” reiterating that long-term player welfare and regulatory compliance take precedence over short-term availability.
There is confidence within the board and coaching staff that, once the administrative barrier is lifted, Fall will integrate seamlessly into senior training routines.
As the pre-season continues without him, all eyes will be on the pace at which Fall secures his legal paperwork. Once resolved, he is likely to join the remainder of Fenerbahçe’s European tour and begin building relationships with squad members and coaching staff. For now, though, the visa delay remains the single impediment to his seamless transition.
While the situation may have caused an unexpected hiccup in his early days at the club, both Fall and Fenerbahçe remain optimistic.
The administrative oversight is not seen as a lasting issue — rather, a temporary interruption to what the club hopes will become a long and productive association with a player they intend to develop for the top flight and beyond.
