SA coach names Concacaf squad

Baxter has named five uncapped players

Coach Stuart Baxter has named five uncapped players in a threadbare South African squad for next month's Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States.

Almost all of Bafana Bafana's regular players turned down invitations to take part in the tournament for Central and North America and the Caribbean.

South Africa are one of two countries from outside the region to compete.

The 1996 African champions play their first match against Mexico in Los Angeles on 8 July.

They will also play Jamaica and Guatemala in their group matches.

Baxter has been forced to scramble together a side for the tournament, with just six players from the squad that played in World Cup qualifiers in June.

There is a recall for Greek-based defender Pierre Issa, who has not played for South Africa since the last World Cup finals in 2002.

The uncapped players are goalkeeper Lee-Raoul Langeveldt, midfielders Hleza Mofedi and Siyabonga Nkosi and strikers Lebogang Mokoena and Lungisani Ndlela.

Squad:Goalkeepers: Lee-Raoul Langeveldt (FC Fortune), Calvin Marlin (SuperSport United), Wayne Roberts (Wits University)

Defenders: Craig Bianchi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (SuperSport United), Pierre Issa (Ionikos, Greece), Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Lucky Lekgwathi, Lucas Thwala (both Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Hleza Mofedi (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Nkosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Reagan Noble (Wits University), Abram Raselemane (SuperSport United), Siyabongo Siphika (Manning Rangers), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates)

Strikers: Lebogang Mokoena (Orlando Pirates), Lungisani Ndlela (Supersport United), Siyabonga Nomvete (Empoli, Italy)