The Brazilian tactician, who persuaded McCarthy to come out of international retirement in 2004, revealed no reasons for his surprise decision.

However, rumors suggested that McCarthy's omission came in agreement with Rovers coach Mark Hughes, who would have missed his star man for more than a month period.

Parreira also overlooked regular Karlsruhe full-back Bradley Carnell and midfielders Delron Buckley (Dortmund) and Macbeth Sibaya (Rosenborg).

The Bafana-Bafana frontline, largely dependant on local PSL players, only includes Arminia Bielefeld's Sibusiso Zuma as a European-based striker.

South Africa Squad:

Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld), Moeneeb Josephs (BIDVest Wits), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders: Vuyo Mere, Benson Mhlongo (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bevan Fransman (Moroka Swallows), Brett Evans and Bryce Moon (Ajax Cape Town), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Djurgardens), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Elrio van Heerden (Club Bruges), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Strikers: Lerato Chabangu (Sundowns), Thembinkosi 'Terror' Fanteni (Ajax Cape Town), Katlego Mphela (SuperSport United), Excellent Walaza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Zuma (Arminia)