Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki on Thursday revealed details of his discussions with star attacker Percy Tau regarding the latter's lack of playing time at Premier League side Brighton.
Tau was included in the latest 26-man Bafana squad announced to face Ghana and Sudan in back-to-back 2021 AFCON qualifiers at the end of March.
The 26-year-old has not featured in Brighton's last three fixtures as an unused substitute since starting in an FA Cup fifth round clash against Leicester City.
Ntseki revealed that Tau had cited the stiff competition for places at the Albion as a reason for his recent lack of playing time in a one-on-one discussion ahead of his national call-up.
"When I spoke to Percy on his arrival at Brighton, he told me that competition for places has been very stiff and also that the team has been doing very well," Ntseki said.
"So he's just waiting for his chance to play, but he's looking forward to come and represent his country.
Tau will be aiming to get valuable minutes under his belt with the national team and to find a bit of form to transfer to his club performances.
Ntseki also stuck by Rangers' Bongani Zungu and veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune despite recent controversy regarding alleged Covid-19 breaches.
Bafana Bafana will face Ghana at the FNB Stadium on 25 March before travelling to Sudan for an away clash on 28 March in back-to-back 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ronwen William (SuperSport United), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs FC).
Defenders: Thibang Phete (Belenenses, Portugal), Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Orlando Pirates), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Sifiso Hlanti (Swallows FC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Craig Martin (Cape Town City).
Midfielders: Rivaldo Coetzee (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi), Ben Motshwari (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Zungu (Rangers, Scotland), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Percy Tau (Brighton and Albion, England), Sipho Mbule (SuperSport United), Andile Jali (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luther Singh (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Dean Furman (Carlisle United, England).
Strikers: Kermit Erasmus (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Ruzaigh Gamildien (Swallows FC), Lyle Foster (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal).