Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana has named the 23-man squad which will represent South Africa in the forthcoming FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup.
Coach Santana had earlier selected 30 players for the provisional squad and has now cut the squad to 23 players as per FIFA requirements.
The final squad announced by the Brazilian coach is dominated by locally-based players, and the coach has surprisingly dropped the on-form Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.
Other players who were omitted include Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Siyabonga Nkosi, Belgian-based defensive midfielder Masilo Modubi and Golden Arrows leftback Mzuvukile Tom.
In a statement issued by the South African Football Association, Santana said he had tried to place two players per position except in the goalkeeping department where he has placed three goalkeepers.
"I hope that those in the team will now focus 100 percent. What is left for me is to try to find the best eleven to face Iraq and we will use the match against Poland on Saturday to find the combinations as we continue to prepare the team," said Santana.
As for those who were not picked, Santana said the door was not closed on them and they were still in his plans.
"I have told them that if any replacement is needed, they could be back in the team. In the meantime they must continue training by themselves and prepare for the future," he said.
The Bafana Bafana mentor said he initially chose 30 players because the South African season ended early in May too close to the tournament. He also had to take into consideration that some players might pick up injuries while others may be out of shape.
The squad has now engaged the final phase of their training programme ahead of the start of the Champions Festival competition
"We have done physical and technical aspects in the previous weeks in camp and this week we embark on the tactical aspects as we near the start of the tournament. It is crucial that we close in on our strategy," coach Santana explained.
The final squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld, Germany)
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Bryce Moon (Panithinikos, Greece), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Innocent Mdledle(Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Lance Davids (SuperSport United), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), Elrio van Heerden (Blackburn Rovers, England).
Strikers: Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates)
The Confederations Cup kicks off on 14 June when South Africa take on Iraq at Ellis Park and New Zealand face Spain at the Royal Bafokeng stadium.
