It has been revealed that Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki considered 17 other players who nearly make his final 26-man squad to face Ghana and Sudan this month.
Ntseki named a 26-man squad, including five uncapped players, for Bafana's back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Black Stars and the Falcons of Jediane on 25 and 28 March.
Some surprise inclusions and omissions have, as expected, drawn plenty of criticism but the 51-year-old has provided some insight those who did and didn't make the final cut.
Ntseki highlighted the goalkeeping crisis the national team currently faces, with past options Darren Keet, Ricardo Goss and Brandon Petersen all out of action at present.
He also revealed that Baroka shot-stopper Oscarine Masuluke had been considered prior to settling on Itumeleng Khune, Ronwen Williams and Veli Mothwa.
Scroll through the gallery anove to see the full list of players Ntseki considered and why they didn't make the cut
In defence, the likes of Taariq Fielies and Lyle Lakay were profiled while Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tshepo Rikhotso and Abbubakar Mobara all missed out due to injury and fitness concerns.
In midfield, Thabo Nodada, Sinethemba Sithebe, Lebogang Phiri, Lebo Maboe, Teboho Mokoena, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Siphephelo Sithole, Thabang Monare and Thembinkosi Lorch were all considered.
Finally, Thabiso Kutumela narrowly missed out behind Kermit Erasmus, Bradley Grobler, Ruzaigh Gamildien and Lyle Foster, while Lebo Mothiba missed out due to his continued recovery from a serious knee injury picked up last year.