National under-23 coach David Notoane has explained the headache involving Percy Tau ahead of the Olympic games.
Notoane identified Tau as one of the three over-aged players that he could take to the Olympics, but that will be easier said than done.
With Tau looking to have a pre-season with his English Premier League club Brighton Hove Albion and break into the team, chances are he could choose to not be part of the upcoming Olympics.
The Olympics do not fall under the FIFA calendar, so clubs are not obliged to release players for the competition. It's unclear at the moment if the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward will form part of the final squad to take part in the Olympics.
"At the moment, it's 50-50. He's got his situation at the club, it's not willing to release him, but he is willing to come. But he also needs to secure his stature in the EPL. He is the only player we have in the EPL, so any decision, from my person view and opinion, you also have to protect the image of South Africa as a football country, having a player playing in the EPL and not make a decision that's only for now, but you are closing the doors for other players. That's the sensitivity of our talks with Brighton and Percy at this point in time," Notoane told the Siya crew.
Notoane named a 25-man squad for two friendly matches against Egypt on June 10 and 13 in Cairo, after the tournament they were invited to, in the United Arab Emirates was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
A Kaizer Chiefs star and Orlando Pirates target was added to the U/23 Squad:
