John 'Shoes' Moshoeu gets a Bafana Bafana recall

The 37-year-old veteran has shown impressive form with Kaizer Chiefs this season, scoring six goals in the early stages of the Premier Soccer League.

Mashaba selected a squad of local players to play Lesotho in Maseru on 8 October.

But European-based stars, including Mbulelo Mabizela and Aaron Mokoena, have been included for the Nelson Mandela Challenge showdown against Costa Rica in Potchefstroom on 11 October.

Some players in the provisional Nations Cup squad have been excluded from both friendlies but Mashaba said he is only using their absence to give other players a chance.

"Some players in my provisional squad for the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia have not been selected [for the two friendlies].

"There is nothing sinister about this, as some players already have club commitments and also I want to give others a chance to stake claims for a place in Tunisia."

Defender Oscar Ntwagae, who plays for newly-promoted Silver Stars, was one of the surprise invitees for the Lesotho game.

Ntwagae is the first player from the club to be named in a national squad.

"Ntwagae is one of the players who has worked hard and impressed me during the series of mini camps I have conducted recently. It is now up to him to impress on the pitch," Mashaba said.