South Africa’s 23-man squad that will shoulder the hopes of a nation in this month's Confederations Cup tournament has been announced and there were a couple of surprises. The biggest omission was that of Spanish-based defender, Nasief Morris.

The defender is one of three overseas-based players who have been overlooked. He became the fourth player to be shown the door for being the last player to report for duty. Santana has refused to explain why Morris was axed - rather citing the code of conduct for all the players especially for arriving late for camp. It is understood that Morris' behaviour towards the coach has been considered disrespectful and confrontational.

Besides Morris, the other players omitted from the squad include goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, forwards Thulasizwe Mbuyane and Siyabonga Nkosi, defensive midfielder Masilo Modubi and leftback Mzuvukile Tom. The coach said he dropped the former Kaizer Chiefs star, Nkosi, because they have too many players in his position. Experience and good leadership qualities counted in veteran goalkeeper Brian Baloyi's favour.

Baloyi was included along with defender Matthew Booth who has not featured much at club level this season. Santana says Iraq has tall, big players and that is why he included tall defenders to rectify their past mistakes like the goals they conceded against Portugal and Chile.

Hints of changes to come
The national team will play a friendly against Poland on Saturday - their last warm-up match before the Confederations Cup tournament. Santana hinted that the starting 11 against Poland on Saturday will not necessarily be the same team to start in the opening game against Iraq on June 6. Bafana Bafana wants to use their international friendly against Poland on Saturday to silence the prophets of doom on the eve of the Confederation Cup.

South Africa will take on Asian winners Iraq next Sunday in the opening match of the tournament. According to Project 2010, their losses against Chile and Portugal earlier this year have done little to inspire the nation's confidence in the 2010 World Cup hosts. Bafana's captain, Aaron Mokoena, says a good performance against the Polish at Orlando Stadium in Soweto would be just what Bafana's supporters needed to encourage them for the Confederations Cup.

The 23-man Bafana Bafana squad named by Brazilian coach Joel Santana to contest this month's FIFA Confederations Cup is: Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld, Germany) Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Bryce Moon (Panithinikos, Greece), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United) Midfielders: Lance Davids (SuperSport United), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), Elrio van Heerden (Blackburn Rovers, England), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates) Strikers: Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates).