Percy Tau in Notoane’s 40-man preliminary squad for Tokyo Olympics

South Africa’s U23 coach David Notoane has announced 40-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.  

Headlining the preliminary squad is Bafana Bafana and Brighton & Albion Hove attacker Percy Tau.

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Tau is included as one of the overage players by Notoane, and he was expected to be in the squad given his experience.

He may not have featured that much for Brighton since making returning from loan at Anderlecht, but Tau remains one of South Africa’s brightest stars.

The 26-year-old left-footer will be expected to lead the attack alongside the likes of Luther Singh and Lyle Foster should the trio make the final cut.

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It would also be the first time he gets to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games.

In the previous edition, in 2016, South Africa had two overage players in Itumeleng Khune and Eric Mathoho but it looks like the Kaizer Chiefs duo will miss out this time around.

THE PRELIMINARY SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows),

OVER 23 goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Luke Fleurs (SuperSport United), Repo Tercious Malepe (Minaj FC, Ukraine), Katlego Mohamme (University of Pretoria), Thabiso James 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), Khanya 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 FC), Kgaogelo Sekota (Swallows FC), Sithole Sphephelo (Belenenses, Portugal), Ashley Du Preez (Stellenbosch FC)

Strikers: Lyle Foster (Vitoria Guimaraes II, Portugal), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Fagrie Lakay (Cape Town City), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Luther Singh (Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal, loan) Siyabonga Ligendza (Cardiff City U18, England)

OVER 23 in-field players: Percy Tau (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)