Kaizer Chiefs defender Happy Mashiane was disappointed after the Olympics in Tokyo were cancelled, but admitted the right decision was made in the end.
The 22-year-old burst onto the scene for Kaizer Chiefs last season and was included in David Notoane's preliminary side for the Tokyo Games later this year.
However, with the global showpiece being postponed until next year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Mashiane was heartbroken when he found out he might not get to play at the Games.
"Covid-19 is a serious concern to the world… I wish that the solution that will stop the spread of the disease could be found as quickly as possible because this can cause much damage to all of us," he told the official Kaizer Chiefs website.
"I was looking forward to the 2020 Olympics, but now what matters is getting over the pandemic.
"Hearing such news (of postponement) at first was sad, however after clearly getting detailed information about the global disaster really changed my perspective.
"I realised it is better to be safe than sorry. We'd rather all be safe from illness so that we can be fit to play in the future."
Although he will still be eligible to participate in next year's Olympics, with the club's transfer ban over the next two windows he is likely to get more minutes for Amakhosi in the upcoming league campaign.
- TEAMteam media