Aaron Mokoena is still the captain of South Africa despite a poor World Cup
New South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has kept faith with under-fire captain Aaron Mokoena for Wednesday's friendly against Ghana at Soccer City.
Mokoena was blamed for some of the goals that saw the World Cup hosts fail to get past the first round in June.
Media reports had hinted Mosimane would ditch Mokoena, who plays for Portsmouth in English football's second tier.
But Mosimane, who succeeded Carlos Alberto Parreira in July, retained 17 of the 23-man World Cup squad.
Out go goalkeeper Shuaib Walters, defenders Matthew Booth and Lucas Thwala, midfielder Lance Davids and striker Siyabonga Nomvete while injury rules out centre-back Bongani Khumalo.
In come defenders Morgan Gould, Bevan Fransman and Innocent Mdledle, midfielder Daine Klate and striker Sthembiso Ngcobo for the clash with World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana on 11 August.
Gould would probably have been a first-choice World Cup centre-back but for injury while Fransman and Mdledle were among those Parreira axed from the preliminary 30-strong squad.
Klate was considered too physically slight by 1994 World Cup-winning coach Parreira while surprise selection Ngcobo snubbed a call-up for a friendly against Chile in 2009.
Mosimane has publicly stated his opposition to the 4-5-1 system favoured by his predecessor, preferring two strikers and one fewer midfielder.
The other strikers chosen for the clash against the Black Stars, Katelgo Mphela and Bernard Parker, started against France and created far more chances in that match than in their previous two group games.
Officials are hoping for a sell-out 85,000 crowd although Ghana's biggest star, Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, has not been included nor has Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari.
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