Some South African fans were shocked when the final World Cup roster of 23 players was announced on June 1 as forward Benni McCarthy, the country’s all-time top scorer, was left out. However, many others probably saw it coming. McCarthy, who plays with West Ham in the English Premier League, was joined on the sidelines by five others after manager Carlos Alberto Parreira announced the team.

McCarthy, who’s now 32 years old, has had fitness problems recently and has also been accused of being too heavy. But he leads the nation when it comes to goals as he’s played 78 games for his country and found the back of the net 32 times. He took a break from international football back in 2002 at the conclusion of the World Cup when he was only 24 years old. But he ended up rejoining the squad after just two years of sitting out. Most experts figure he’ll pack international football in for good now that he’s been left off the team.

Parreira praised his squad and said all of the players, including the ones who weren’t selected, should be proud of themselves for their dedication and efforts. He added that it was sad to make the cuts and told the players to walk tall as life carries on and they all deserved to play, but FIFA has its rules.

McCarthy stated that he was proud to have served his country and understood that nobody had a guaranteed position in the World Cup team. He realized Parreira must have agonized over the final decision. The team announcement was huge news in the host nation as it was broadcast live on television and several radio channels.

It was a joyous moment for Nomvete as he was left off the team in 2008 by former manager Joel Santana. But for the other five players who weren’t chosen it was a sad day. These were goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez, defenders Innocent Mdledle, and Bryce Moon, midfielder Franklin Cale, and Jandile.

South Africa enters the world Cup on a hot streak as they hammered Guatemala 5-0 on May 31 and are now unbeaten in 11 matches with Parreira at the helm. They will play a final warm up game, which will be on June 5 against Denmark. They open the World Cup on June 11 against Mexico.

South Africa will compete in Group A and will also face Uruguay and France. No host nation has ever been knocked out of the tournament in the first round and South Africa wants to make sure they don’t become the first. However, Expekt.com lists them as the least likely to win their group with odds of 21/4. They’re listed at 100/1 to win the Cup.

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan)

Forwards: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente)