Benni McCarthy has not played for South Africa since January 2006

McCarthy failed to travel to Durban for the match in a continuation of his boycott of the Bafana Bafana.

The 29-year-old has said previously he will not play until the South African Football Association apologise to him.

The striker blames Safa for demonising him during last year's Nations Cup finals in Egypt over a pay dispute.

'Reconciliation'

It is widely thought that South Africa's Brazilian coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, picked McCarthy for the Group 11 match in a move to pressure officials into reconciling with the marksman.

McCarthy scored 19 goals in the English Premier League last season but has not played for South Africa for the last 18 months.

Parreira has added Teko Modise and Papi Zothwane as cover in midfield as South African Footballer of the Year, Godfrey Sapula, withdrew because of injury.

Also there is doubt over the fitness of Elrio van Heerden of Club Bruges, who missed the Belgian Cup final.

South Africa have a two-point lead over Congo at the top of the group standings while bottom team Chad have lost all three of their matches so far.