Bafana Bafana have started their preparations for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup finals by assembling for camp in Gauteng.

The squad will play Zambia in Orlando on January 4 in their first warm-up game before facing Mali and Cameroon in their final training games ahead of the event.

The 34-man preliminary Bafana squad have started arriving for the camp, and will undergo medical examinations on Saturday ahead of their first training session together on Sunday.

The training will take place in Dobsonville in Soweto from 10am on Sunday morning, and will be open for public viewing.

Coach Shakes Mashaba will cut 11 men to reach his final 23-man squad that will travel to Equatorial Guinea for the Afcon finals which will start on 17 January 2015.

South Africa are in a very competitive Group C alongside Algeria, Senegal and Ghana, and face Africa’s number one ranked team Algeria in their opening game on Monday, 19 January.

South Africa’s 34-man preliminary group:

Goalkeepers: Darren Keet, Jackson Mabokgwane, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Brilliant Khuzwayo.

Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo, Patrick Phungwayo, Anele Ngconcga, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Kwanda Mngonyama, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Mzikayise Mashaba.

Midfielders: Themba Zwane, Andile Jali, Asavele Mbekile, Vuyisile Wana, Jabulani Shongwe, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bongani Zungu, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Dean Furman, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Oupa Manyisa, Mondi Cele, Mandla Masango, Thulani Serero, Thuso Phala.

Strikers: Ayanda Patosi, Bernard Parker, David Zulu, Tokelo Rantie, Bongani Ndulula.