On Thursday morning, David Notoane announced the 40-man preliminary South African U23 squad for the Tokyo Olympics.
As per the rules, a number of over-aged players (maximum of three) are eligible to be included and the 52-year-old went on to include seven of those players in his potential players. The most notable names in this regard includes Brighton star Percy Tau and Mamelodi Sundowns forward Themba Zwane alongside several players from abroad.
Notoane will later trim down the squad to a final 21-man list, with the Olympics still to hold later this year in Japan after much delay and postponement due to the covid-19 pandemic.
South Africa will be joined by fellow African sides Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt after both teams also finished in the top three positions at the CAF U-23 Cup of Nations which took place from the 8th to the 22nd of November 2019 in Egypt.
At the time, Notoane initially announced a 78-man team and has now made changes as he continues to pick the best of the best ahead of the tournament in Tokyo.
There is much optimism in the South Africa camp, alongside hopes that Notoane can lead them to something remarkable in the Olympics.
The full squad below:
Goalkeepers: Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows)
Defenders: Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Luke Fleurs (SuperSport United), Repo Tercious Malepe (Minaj FC, Ukraine), Katlego Mohamme (University of Pretoria), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Thendo Mukumela (Cape Town Spurs), Sifiso Ngobeni (Bloemfontein Celtic), Bongani Sam (Orlando Pirates).
Midfielders: Athenkosi Dlala (University of Pretoria), Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Kganya Leshabela (Leicester City, England), Kobamelo Kodisang (Sporting Braga B, Portugal), Gift Links (Aarhus, Denmark), Kamohelo Mahlatsi (Swallows FC), Keletso Makgalwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Margeman (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kgaugelo Chauke (Southampton, England), Sipho Mbule (Supersport United), Happy Mashiane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport United), Nkosiphilile Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs), Goodman Mosele (Baroka), Kgaogelo Sekota (Swallows FC), Sithole Sphephelo (Belenenses, Portugal), Ashley Du Preez (Stellenbosch).
Forwards: Lyle Foster (Vitoria Guimaraes II, Portugal), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Fagrie Lakay (Cape Town City), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka), Luther Singh (Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal, loan), Siyabonga Ligendza (Cardiff City U18, England).
Players over-23: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Brighton & Hove Albion, England) Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns).