South Africa U23 head coach David Notoane has cleared the air on some of the surprise omissions from his Olympic training squad set to travel to the United Arab Emirates next month.
South Africa are embarking on their final preparations for Tokyo 2020 with a mini-tournament with Brazil, Argentina and Korea scheduled for 5-11 June, which he selected a 25-man squad for earlier this week.
Golden Arrows goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana was among the more high-profile with the 24-year-old earning a nomination for the DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season.
But Notoane says he and several other players who's still in contention to make the final squad set to travel to Japan were notified via their club that an agreement was set in place to allow them to finish the domestic season.
"Sifiso has not been snubbed from the U-23 camp," Notoane confirmed to snl24.com/kickoff. "First there is an arrangement that SAFA has entered with the PSL with regards to the extension with the league.
"It's a general understanding to respect the program of the PSL, whilst the clubs will also assist the national team wherever possible - hence you see the Bafana camp being shifted.
"I've engaged extensively with Golden Arrows and their and coach because we were considering two players to be eligible for our proposed tour for the UAE.
"Unfortunately the club is in a position to qualify for CAF football and amongst the top-three, they couldn't render the players eligible which was Mlungwana and Thabani Zuke.
"Based on that we've had an arrangement, that we've acknowledged he's done very well and been a regular this season, so it would be unfair to break the momentum of Arrows.
"When we get to the next camp where we pick the squad for the Olympics then he will be considered. It's unfortunate that the player feels he's been snubbed. There's been communication between the club and the players."
Notoane added that several other players who've been regulars in the South African top-flight were not called up to allow them to join up with the senior national team.
Full 25-man training squad:
Goalkeeper: Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Lincoln Vyver (Cape Town Spurs), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Tercious Malepe (FC Mynai, Ukraine), Katlego Mohamme (University of Pretoria), Thendo Mukumela (Cape Town Spurs), Luke Fleurs (SuperSport United), Bongani Sam (Orlando Pirates), Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City), Kamogelo Mahlangu (TS Galaxy)
Midfielders: Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Thabo Cele (Cova da Piedade, Portugal), Khanya Leshabela (Leicester City, England), Athenkosi Dlala (University of Pretoria), Neo Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark), Kobamelo Kodisang (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Nkosingiphile Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (Os Belenenses, Portugal), Promise Mkhuma (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forwards: Fagrie Lakay (Cape Town City) Siyabonga Ligendza (Cardiff City, England), Luther Singh (Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal), Keletso Makgalwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lyle Foster (Vitoria Guimares, Portugal), Liam Jordan (Helsingor, Denmark)