McCarthy recalled by World Cup hosts South Africa

Thu, Nov 5 06:34 PM

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has recalled striker Benni McCarthy and named three uncapped players for home friendlies against Japan and Jamaica later this month.

McCarthy had been dropped by former coach Joel Santana earlier this year and has missed the team's last 14 matches.

The Blackburn Rovers striker, unable to command a first team place with his English Premier League club, has scored a record 31 goals for South Africa. He made the last of 76 appearances in February.

Uncapped Belgian-based defender Anele Ngongca and striker Kermit Erasmus return after previous call ups while there is a first summons for goalkeeper Darren Keet and midfielder Daylon Claasen, who is a reserve at Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Both players are promoted up from the country's under-20 squad.

Brazilian Parreira replaced Santana last month, resuming a job he left 18 months ago to care for his sick wife.

World Cup hosts South Africa face Japan on Nov. 14 and Jamaica three days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Darren Keet (Wits University)

Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngongca (KRC Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Daylon Claasen (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Daine Klate (SuperSport United), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Elrio van Heerden (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Forwards: Kermit Erasmus (Excelsior, Netherlands), Mabhuti Khenyeza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers, England), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Twente Enschede, Netherlands).

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson, editing by Justin Palmer;

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