Defender David Kannemeyer, midfielders Stanton Fredericks, Jabu Pule as well as Shoes Moshoeu and striker Patrick Mayo all made the 22-man South African squad that will contest for the Nations Cup from January 24 to February 14.

Also in the team is former Chiefs man Siyabonga Nomvete, who now plies his trade in the Italian Serie A with Udinese.

Meanwhile, in a surprise announcement, the South African Football Association (Safa) revealed that striker Benni McCarthy has retired from international football after his request to join the squad at a later date was declined.

Benni, who is with the Portuguese side FC Porto, had requested through his agent that he joins the rest of the team later and therefore missing out on all the preparations for the tournament.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Andre Arendse (Sundowns), Wayne Roberts (Wits University) and Emile Baron (Lillestrom/Norway)

Defenders: Mbulelo Mabizela (Tottenham Hotspur/England), Thabang Molefe (Le Mans/France), David Kannemeyer (Kaizer Chiefs), Jacob Lekgetho (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Aaron Mokoena (Genk/Belgium), Tony Coyle (FC Rostov/Russia) and Mark Fish (Charlton Athletic/England)

Midfielders: Benson Mhlongo (Wits University), Stanton Fredericks (Kaizer Chiefs), Mcbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan/Russia), Jabu Pule (Kazier Chiefs), Steve Pienaar (Ajax Amsterdam/Holland), John Moshoeu (Kaizer Chiefs), Bennet Mnguni (FC Rostov/Russia) and Delron Buckley (Bochum/Germany)

Strikers: Patrick Mayo (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyabonga Nomvete (Udinese/Italy), George Koumantarakis (Preston North End/England) and Sibusiso Zuma (FC Copenhagen/Denmark)