The SA Football Association (Safa) released the names of 22 players on Wednesday through their spokesperson - Sthembele Khala - with only three changes the initial squad that was announced by suspended coach Shakes Mashaba.

Mashaba was slapped with a seven-day suspension following the retirement from international football by leading striker Benni McCarthy, as he could not reach a compromise with the coach on his arrival in Tunisia.

McCarthy’s retirement was followed by the withdrawal from the squad by defender Mark Fish who also had similar problems. Announcing the suspension Safa said Mashaba “had failed to promote the interests of the national team by not monitoring the progress of foreign based players and ultimately selecting players who were not active or injured”.

Preston North End striker George Koumantarakis was left out despite appearing and scoring for his English club in the FA Cup on Wednesday. In his place comes former Jomo Cosmos hitman Nkosinathi Nhleko who now plays for Dallas Burn in the US.

Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Steven Pienaar failed a late fitness test on Tuesday and was as a result left out with Teboho Mokoena of Jomo Cosmos taking his place in the squad.

Defender Neil Winstanley, who impressed in the 2-0 defeat against Mauritius in the Cosafa Cup last weekend, comes on for Charlton Athletic defender Fish.

Meanwhile, Wits coach Roger de Sa confirmed that he was approached by Safa but not to coach Bafana in the Nations Cup. His role will that of an observer.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Andre Arendse, Wayne Roberts, Emile Baron.

Defenders: Mbulelo Mabizela, Aaron Mokoena, Tony Coyle, Neil Winstanley, David Kannemeyer, Thabang Molefe, Jacob Lekgetho.

Midfielders: MacBeth Sibaya, Delron Buckley, Stanton Fredericks, Teboho Mokoena, Benson Mhlongo, Jabu Pule, Bernard Mnguni, John Moshoeu.

Strikers: Nkosinathi Nhleko, Siyabonga Nomvete, Patrick Mayo, Sibusiso Zuma.