 Carnell could be back for Bafana Bafana |
South African football officials have held talks with disaffected internationals after a disappointing performance at the African Nations Cup. South African Football Association (Safa) president Molefi Oliphant held discussions in London to persuade Charlton Athletic duo Shaun Bartlett and Mark Fish, Holland-based goalkeeper Hans Vonk and Borussia Moenchengladbach defender Bradley Carnell to end their international exile.
They were among a host of key players who were left out of the South African squad for the tournament in Tunisia after falling out with previous coach Ephraim Mashaba.
Mashaba was fired on the eve of the tournament but the change proved too late for South Africa, who failed to get past the first round for the first time in five successive Nations Cup finals appearances.
A Safa spokesman said Oliphant flew to Britain this week to re-open contact with the players, who have all been caught in ongoing club-versus-country rows.
Oliphant has also sought a meeting with Manchester United's Quinton Fortune, who has ignored calls to rejoin the national side over the last year.
A response to a request for a meeting is being awaited from both the player and the English champions.
Oliphant is also seeking a return to international duty by striker Benni McCarthy, whose two goals for Porto against Manchester United in the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday highlighted his absence in the Nations Cup.
McCarthy won his 50th cap for South Africa in November but then announced his 'retirement' when Mashaba refused to allow him to skip the two-week pre-Nations Cup training camp in early January.
McCarthy's agent met with Oliphant in London on Monday but nothing was resolved.
MMIX
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