The South Africa under-23 team were yet to hear officially on the eve of their departure yesterday for the CAF under-23 championships whether Orlando Pirates players Gift Motupa and Menzi Masuku were to join them this week or next.

Midfielder Motupa and striker Masuku were not part of coach Owen da Gama's final training session in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, yesterday ahead of their departure last night for the eight-team U-23 champs in Senegal.

South Africa begin their campaign in the opener against hosts Senegal on Saturday. Pirates have an important clashing fixture, the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup final against Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia on Sunday. The first leg score was 1-1.

Pirates coach Eric Tinkler has been quoted in the press saying Motupa and Masuka will only be released after the second leg. Da Gama said this is the most likely scenario, and he could understand Bucs' reasoning.

"Look, obviously Pirates are on the verge of making history. And we've got to be very sensitive to that. It's history for Pirates and for the country, as much as we've got our mission there for the country," Da Gama said. "Pirates are always the first team to release players. We'll wait for a decision from their technical team or management, whether the boys are joining us immediately or later.

"But whatever the decision is, we have prepared well. Those two are integral players of this under-23 team. And I'd like to take this opportunity to also wish Pirates well. We know they can go through."

Da Gama said Pirates had allowed Masuku and Motupa to undergo their medicals with the U-23s, and they are registered for the CAF champs.

Pirates administration officer Floyd Mbele said an agreement has been reached with Safa, but he could not comment on what that was, and only the association could.

Safa communications director Dominic Chimhavi said he was not aware of any agreement.