South Africa recall Fish
Fish has been in the international wilderness for three years and his prospects of returning to the South Africa fold appeared remote.
But coach Shakes Mashaba has decided to include the centre half in his squad for the tournament in Tunisia which runs from January 24 to February 14 next year.
Charlton are unlikely to be happy with Fish's inclusion as his absence for several weeks could impact on The Addicks' push for a European berth.
Porto striker McCarthy, though, is not in the squad after calling time on his international career due to a dispute regarding his involvement in the tournament.
McCarthy wanted to link up with the party nearer to the start of the competition and miss the team's preparation but his request was blocked by the South African Football Association.
That decision has prompted McCarthy to quit the Bafana Bafana set-up to concentrate on his club career with the Portuguese champions.
As expected, Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has been omitted from the squad while Hans Vonk and Japhet Zwane are also missing.
South Africa face Benin, Nigeria and Morocco in the African Cup of Nations, with their training camp starting on January 12.
Squad: Andre Arendse, Wayne Roberts, Emile Baron; Mbulelo Mabizela, Thabang Molefe, David Kannemeyer, Jacob Lekgetho, Aaron Mokoena, Tony Coyle, Mark Fish; Benson Mhlongo, Stanton Fredericks, MacBeth Sibaya, Jabu Pule, Steven Pienaar, John Moshoeu, Bennet Mnguni, Delron Buckley; Patrick Mayo, Siyabonga Nomvete, George Koumantarakis, Sibusiso Zuma.
