Nasief Morris has been in fine form but will not be playing for South Africa

South Africa coach Joel Santana has left Nasief Morris out of his squad for the Confederations Cup because of the player's attitude.

Santana said the decision was "an internal affair".

Speaking at a news conference in Johannesburg, Santana said that all players had to accept a "code of conduct".

"Every player has to abide by the rules - they're not my rules but ones which were already in place before I joined."

Santana has proved himself a disciplinarian in recent weeks, having stunned everyone when omitting Benni McCarthy from his preliminary squad following the star striker's repeated failures to honour call-ups.

The other five players to miss out as the squad is reduced from 29 to 23 are goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, Mzuvukile Tom and Thulasize Mbuyane, all of whom play in South Africa, while overseas-based Masilo Modubi and Siyabonga Nkosi were also absent.

"Moeneeb Josephs did a very good job in training but unfortunately, we had to drop one of the goalkeepers," Santana explained.

"But we've asked him to stay fit, just as we have the other players, in case there are further injuries in the squad."

Fourteen of the 23-man squad are based in South Africa, with the rest all playing their football in Europe, including captain Aaron Mokoena.

South Africa, the 2010 World Cup hosts, open the Confederations Cup against Asian champions Iraq on 14 June, before meeting New Zealand and Spain in Group A.

Meanwhile, Group B is made up of South American champions Brazil, African conquerors Egypt, Concacaf title-winners the United States and the 2006 World Cup winners, Italy.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (SuperSport United), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), Elrio van Heerden (Blackburn Rovers), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates)

Strikers: Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates)

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