Never one to mince his words or beat around the bush, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained the reason behind the surprise absence of Al Ahly attacker Percy Tau from the latest squad, after regaining his form in the CAF Champions League.
South Africa cross swords with Congo in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier clash in Gqeberha next Friday, with the return fixture in Central Africa on 15 October.
Broos has chosen a strong 23-man squad that will be aiming for six points to put themselves in the driving seat for qualification to the Morocco showpiece.
Orlando Pirates' young centre-back Thabiso Sesane is the most notable new face.
Some, though, had expected Tau to make his return to the national team fold after expressing disappointment with being left out for the Uganda and South Sudan games in September, where the coach admitted to feeling the player was not in the right frame of mind due to all the uncertainty about his Ahly future, plus the criticism he had received during the AFCON.
READ | Pirates star Sesane headlines latest Bafana squad
Seeing this becomes the second consecutive camp the 30-year-old misses, it raises serious questions over his place in future.
Speaking to media shortly after unveiling his squad, Broos revealed the real reason Tau has been dropped.
"The fact that he is not with us now, these are personal reasons. He asked me: 'Coach, please don't call me, I'm not ready because of personal issues.'
"What can I tell him? 'No, you have to come', and then he is not ready for it.
"So, yes, it's something that happened with him. Maybe he has to look for another team where he can play, where he will be happier, where there are less problems so that at least we at least have the old, well-known Percy Tau from a few years ago.
"And I hope [it happens] because we know the qualities of Percy can help us a lot. But we have to be honest also. When we evaluate his performances for the national team, they have never compared to the qualities he has as a player.
"He can do more for the national team, I'm sure of it. But yes, there is always something [at Al Ahly] and it's not easy to have to bring a big performance [for Bafana]."
Next Friday's match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 19:00.