South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has announced a 30-man squad to play Ghana in an international friendly on 15 January in Rustenburg.

There are six new faces in the squad – Rudiger Gilbert and Mzikayise Mashaba, both of Free State Stars; Patrick Phungwayo and Ryan Chapman, both from Bidvest Wits; Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns and May Mahlangu, who plays in Sweden. Mahlangu is one of five overseas-based players in the squad.

The others are Siboniso Gaxa, Anele Ngcongca, Daylon Claasen who all play in Belgium, as well as Turkey-based Bradley Grobler.

Daine Klate of Orlando Pirates makes a return after a long absence, as does Nazeer Allie of Ajax Cape Town.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was not considered because he is still recovering from injury.

“I have invited some players so I can have a closer look at them. I also want to reward those who did well this year,” Mosimane says. “For us this is the start of preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament which we will host. This is a training camp for us where we will be trying various combinations.

“Unfortunately we won’t have some of the overseas-based players but again it’s a blessing in disguise in that we will be able to see more players. I am positive the three upcoming matches will help in that regard.” First up is Equatorial Guinea, and the match will take place in the capital Malabo on Thursday, January 5 to mark the opening of one of the match venues for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The second clash is against Zambia on Wednesday, January 11 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Tshwane. Kick-off is at 20h00.

In the third friendly international South Africa will lock horns with Ghana on Sunday, January 15 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng, just outside Rustenburg.

The match will kickoff at 15h15.

Both the home matches are also to help Ghana and Zambia to prepare for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Monday, January 2 at the OR Tambo International Airport Southern Sun Hotel.

They depart for Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, January 3 and return to South Africa on Friday, January 6.

The Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi Sundowns) Right-backs: Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse SK, Belgium), Rudiger Gilbert (Free State Stars), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium)

Centre-backs: Nazeer Allie (Ajax Cape Town), Musa Bilankulu (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Mulomowandau Mathoho (Bloemfontein Celtic), Siyabonga Sangweni (Orlando Pirates)

Left-backs: Punch Masenamela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Phungwayo (Bidvest Wits)

Central midfielders: Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa (both Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), George Maluleka, Granwald Scott (both Ajax Cape Town)

Attacking midfielders: Daylon Claasen (Lierse SK, Belgium), Daine Klate (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Kaizer Chiefs), May Mahlangu (Helsingborgs IF, Sweden), Mzikayise Mashaba (Free State Stars), Teko Modise, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns)

Strikers: Ryan Chapman (Bidvest Wits), Bradley Grobler (Goztepe SK, Turkey), Lehlohonolo Majoro (Kaizer Chiefs), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nontshinga (Jomo Cosmos)