If the International Olympics Committee (IOC) does not raise the age limit for the men's football tournament next year, then several players who were involved in getting coach David Notoane's team to the Tokyo event will sadly miss out.
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SAFA acting CEO Gay Mokoena has told the Siya crew that the association has not yet convened to discuss this likely scenario as calls from other federations around the world for the IOC to reconsider the age restrictions grows.
Click through the gallery above to see the 10 players who can't be at the Olympics
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sporting showpiece initially scheduled for July this year has been moved by a full 12 months in the same city.
"We received communication from SASCOC yesterday and we have therefore not as yet discussed the matter. But I saw something that suggested athletes would still qualify even if the Games are shifted to next year, although that was in the media and not a formal statement from the organisers," said Mokoena.
As many as 10 players picked by coach David Notoane throughout the qualification phase and in his provisional squad will no longer be eligible and most notable are Teboho Mokoena, Siyabonga Ngezana, captain Tercious Malepe, Keletso Makgalwa, Sandile Mthethwa, Thabo Cele, Kgaogelo Sekota, Itumeleng Shopane, Phakamani Mahlambi and Fagrie Lakay.
So far, the Australian FA and their counterparts in South Korea have already written letters to FIFA and the IOC asking for players born on or after 1 January 1997 to be allowed to participate at the Olympics next year even though they will be over 23 – the age restriction for the men's football competition at the event.
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