© Reuters 2002

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 15 (Reuters) - New South African coach Ephraim Mashaba on Thursday named three uncapped players in his first squad, for the Cosafa Castle Cup semi-final against Swaziland later this month.

Mashaba, appointed to the post earlier this month, named Scottish-born defender Gary McNab and striker Justin Lakay and Sisa Nombe in his 18-man squad for the match at Polokwane, 300km north of Johannesburg, on August 24.

The winner will play Malawi in the final of the annual southern African championship next month. Lakay and Nombe are called up for the first time while McNab, born in Dunfermline, has previously been in the South African squad but never capped.

Mashaba retained five players who went to the World Cup finals in June under his predecessor Jomo Sono, but has not called up the bulk of the country's foreign-based players.

Of those named for the match against Swaziland, only defender Thabang Molefe, who recently moved to Lyn Oslo in Norway, is based outside the country.

Returning to the squad after long absences are goalkeeper Brian Baloyi and defender David Kannemeyer, both from Johannesburg club Kaizer Chiefs.