[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Four players from the English Premier League -- Steven Pienaar (Everton), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Benni McCarthy (West Ham) and Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham) were among 10 European-based players included in host South Africa provisional roster of 29 players from which Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will name 23 for the World Cup.

Since returning as national team coach, Parreira has worked most of the year with local players, taking from to extended camps in Brazil and Germany.

“This is going to be rather difficult," said Parreira, "not because the overseas-based players are coming to this camp, but because we don’t know what condition they will come in -- physically and technically. Some of them have played too many games, like Steven Pienaar who has played 27 games since November.”

There were few surprises in Parreira's team. Spanish-based defender Nasief Morris was the major omission.

South Africa Roster:
Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld/GER), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shuaib Walters (Maritzburg United).
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport Utd), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth/ENG), Bryce Moon (PAOK/GRE), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk/BEL), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates).
Midfielders: Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham/ENG), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton/ENG), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan/RUS).
Forwards: Benni McCarthy (West Ham/ENG), Katlego Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (Twente/NED).