Pretoria - Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has announced a 30-man squad to play three international friendly matches in January next year.
Bafana, who failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, is scheduled to play Equatorial Guinea in the capital Malabo on January 5.
This encounter will mark the opening of one of the match venues for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The second clash is against Zambia on Wednesday, 11 January at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Tshwane. Kick-off is at 8pm. The City of Tshwane will release details about park and ride facilities in due course.
Bafana's third friendly will be against the most experienced Ghanaian national team on Sunday, 15 January, at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, in Phokeng outside Rustenburg. Kick-off at 3:15pm.
Both the home matches are also to help Ghana and Zambia to prepare for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Tickets will cost R50 for each match, and will be available at Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Shoprite/Checkers stores around the country.
On the squad announced by Mosimane, there are seven new faces including Alie Nazeer of Ajax Cape Town; Rudick Gilbert and Mzikayise Mashaba, both of Free State Stars; Patrick Phungwayo and Ryan Chapman, both from Bidvest Wits; Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns and May Mahlangu who plays in Sweden.
Mahlangu is one of five overseas-based players in the squad. The others are Siboniso Gaxa, Anele Ngcongca, and Daylon Claasen who all play in Belgium as well as Turkey-based Bradley Grobler.
Daine Klate of Orlando Pirates makes a return after a long absence. Itumeleng Khune was not considered because he is still recovering from injury.
Mosimane said: "For us this is the start of preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament which we will host.
"This is a training camp for us where we will be trying various combinations. Unfortunately we won't have some of the overseas-based players but again it's a blessing in disguise in that we will be able to see more players. I am positive the three upcoming matches will help in that regard."
Bafana will assemble for camp on Monday, 2 January at the OR Tambo International Airport Southern Sun Hotel.
They depart for Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, 3 January and return to South Africa on Friday, 6 January.
Bafana squad, goalkeepers are Moneeb Josephs, Wayne Sandilands. Defenders Siboniso Gaxa, Morgan Gould, Siyabonga Sangweni, Eric Mathoho, Musa Bilankulu, Alie Nazeer, Anele Ngcongca, Rudick Gilbert, Punch Masenamela and Patrick Phungwayo.
Midfielders are Daylon Claasen, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Themba Zwane, Thanduyise Kuboni, Andile Jali, George Maluleka, Teko Modise, Daine Klate, Siphiwe Tshabalala, May Mahlangu, Oupa Manyisa, Granwald Scott and Mzikayise Mashaba.
Strikers are Lehlohonolo Majoro, Bradley Grobler, Katlego Mphela, Siyabonga Nontshinga and Ryan Chapman.
