Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba named a provisional 34-man squad for next month's Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
Mashaba kept the bulk of the team that played in AFCON qualifiers where they went unbeaten in six matches.
He named four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 15 midfielders and five strikers.
The squad will be trimmed down to 23 players on December 30, after a mini-training camp in Johannesburg from December 26 to 30 .
“The bulk of the boys in the squad are the ones who helped Bafana Bafana to be where it is now and we didn't want to change much going into Afcon,” Mashaba said in a statement.
“The bloated squad means we want to give everyone a chance as we don't have guaranteed places in the team. It is an opportunity for all of them to fight hard for the final spot.
“And for those not on the list, we can't say for sure they are completely out as they also stand a good chance of making it. As you can see most of those on the list have been with us for the last three months or so.”
Bafana's opening match of the tournament is against Algeria on January 19, followed by a clash against Senegal. The team plays its last group stage match against Ghana on the 27th.
Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet, Jackson Mabokgwane, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Brilliant Khuzwayo.
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapho, Patrick Phungwayo, Anele Ngcongca, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Kwandakwentsizwa Mngonyama, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Mzikayise Mashaba.
Midfielders: Themba Zwane, Andile Jali, Asavele Mbekile, Vuyisile Wana, Jabulani Shongwe, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bongani Zungu, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Dean Furman, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Oupa Manyisa, Mondli Cele, Mandla Masango, Thulani Serero, Thuso Phala.
Strikers: Ayanda Patosi, Bernard Parker, David Zulu, Tokelo Rantie, Bongani Ndulula. – Sapa