BAFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba named a 34-man provisional squad yesterday for next month's Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea that hardly raised eyebrows, a slight shock given how the national team mentor has revelled in being unpredictable.

Mashaba will trim this down in two weeks to the 23 required at the tournament after a camp in Johannesburg. He said places were up for grabs and there can be no doubt that he meant it.

Itumeleng Khune was omitted from the squad, with Darren Keet, Jackson Mabokgwane, Siyabonga Mpontshane and Khune's Kaizer Chiefs teammate Brilliant Khuzwayo taking up the goalkeeping spots. Khune has been injured since September and last featured for Bafana in January, so his exclusion was no surprise.

What could be considered a shock is Mashaba leaving out strikers Kermit Erasmus and Lehlohonolo Majoro, and bringing back Ayanda Patosi.

Patosi, who plays for Lokeren in Belgium, failed to report for Bafana's matches against Sudan and Nigeria in September after allegedly missing his flight. He was subsequently left out of the remaining qualifiers.

"The bulk of the boys in the squad are the ones who helped Bafana to be where they are now and we didn't want to change much going into the Afcon," said Mashaba. "The bloated squad means we want to give everyone a chance as we don't have guaranteed places in the team. It is an opportunity for all of them to fight hard for the final spot."

In defence, Mashaba kept the core of those who did duty during the qualifiers, but there was no place for Tefu Mashamaite and Buhle Mkhwanazi, two consistent centre backs in the Premier Soccer League so far this season.

Patrick Phungwayo has forced his way into the Bafana set-up after impressive performances at Orlando Pirates since replacing Thabo Matlaba, who has shrugged off his injury to return in time to be named in the provisional squad.

"For those not on the list, we can't say for sure they are completely out as they also stand a good chance of making it," Mashaba promised.

The squad:

Darren Keet, Jackson Mabokgwane, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Brilliant Khuzwayo, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Patrick Phungwayo, Anele Ngcongca, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Kwanda Mngonyama, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Mzikayise Mashaba, Themba Zwane, Andile Jali, Asavele Mbekile, Vuyisile Wana, Jabulani Shongwe, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bongani Zungu, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Dean Furman, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Oupa Manyisa, Mondli Cele, Mandla Masango, Thulani Serero, Thuso Phala, Ayanda Patosi, Bernard Parker, David Zulu, Tokelo Rantie and Bongani Ndulula.