Fernandez had an impressive season last in the 2003-04 campaign as he helped Amakhosi to their first league title in 11 years. The former under-23 and Wits University goal minder was rewarded with a new lucrative deal and the departure of Brian Baloyi to Sundowns meant he was the main contender for the No1 spot at Naturena.

However, the lanky keeper had a regrettable start to the new season as he was twice on the losing side when Chiefs surrendered the Vodacom Challenge to AS Vita and then the Telkom Charity Cup to Sundowns last weekend.

Meanwhile, “rebel midfielder” Quinton Fortune on Manchester United was also included on the Bafana Bafana squad to play against Tunisia.

The Cape Town-born star has not played for his country since the 2002 and had repeatedly ignored calls but after a meeting with coach Stuart Baxter two weeks ago, Fortune assured the former England under-17 coach he would be available should he be called up.

Former SuperSport United striker Thando Mngomeni, now with Helsingborg, also made the squad after impressing the coach in a league match two weeks ago. Baxter was impressed by Mngomeni, who scored in his Swedish side’s 3-0 win against AIK.

Full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Hans Vonk (Ajax Armsterdam Holland) and Rowan Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs)

DEFENDERS: Bradley Carnell (Monchengladback Germany), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos Greece), Aaron Mokoena (Genk Belgium), Mbulelo Mabizela (Tottenham Hostspurs England), Lucky Lekgwathi (Orlando Pirates SA), Jeffrey Ntuka (KVC Westerlo Belgium)

MIDFIELDERS: Steven Pienaar (Ajax Armsterdam Holland), Japhet Zwane (Rostov Russia), Tyrone Arendse (Santos SA), Quinton Fortune (Manchester England), Delron Buckley (DSC Arminia Bielefeld Germany), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates SA), Elrio van Heerden (FC Copenhagen Denmark), McBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan Russia) and Lans Davids (1860 Munich)

STRIKERS: Thando Mngomeni (Helsingborgs Sweden), Benedict McCarthy (FC Porto Portugal) and Shaun Bartlett (Charlton Athletic England).