McCarthy last played for Bafana Bafana at the 2006 Nations Cup

The striker has been included in the squad for a Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia in Cape Town on 9 September.

McCarthy last played for Bafana Bafana at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.

He blamed the South African Football Association (Safa) for demonising him during after a pay dispute.

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira had a brief meeting with McCarthy last weekend after Bafana Bafana lost 1-0 to Scotland in a friendly match.

The team looked weak in attack in that match.

McCarthy refused to play in the Nations Cup qualifier against Chad on 2 June despite being called-up to the squad.

His 19 goals for Blackburn made him the second-top goalscorer in the Premier League last season.

South Africa squad

Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Vuyo Mere and Benson Mhlongo (Sundowns), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn, England capt), Bradley Carnell (Karlsruhe, Germany), Cyril Nzama (Kaizer Chiefs), Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos,Greece), Bevan Fransman (Moroka Swallows).

Midfielders: Surprise Moriri and Dillon Sheppard (Sundowns), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Papi Zothwane (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Siyabonga Nkosi (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Benedict Vilakazi (Aalborg, Denmark), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Delron Buckley (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Strikers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn, England), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Ajax Cape Town), Siyabonga Nomvete (Aalborg, Denmark)