Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that Itumeleng Khune and Erick Mathoho will be released to join the South African Under-23s as over-aged players after the Carling Black Label Champion Cup.

“We have made an arrangement with the coach, Owen da Gama, and his technical team that the players will be released to join the Olympics squad after the Carling Cup,” confirmed football manager Bobby Motaung.

The players will also be available to join the training sessions of the Under-23s on Sunday and Monday, before the squad leaves for Rio de Janeiro. Motaung adds: “We have communicated with the coach, Da Gama, that the players will fly on Sunday, 31 July, to be on time to catch-up with the Under-23s in Rio before their first match on 4 August.”

This will come as good news to the voting supporters as the two players are popular for the Carling Black Label Champions Cup to be played on Saturday, 30 July.

“We understand our obligations to support the national teams and at the same time we want to serve the supporters and bring sponsors into football,” concluded Motaung.