Mashaba turns back to stalwarts for WC qualifier

South Africa take on The Stallions (Les Etalons) in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifiers on Saturday, 8 October 2016 at Stade Du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Kickoff is at 18h00 local time (20h00 SA time).

Mashaba has made several changes to the squad that played against Mauritania and Egypt earlier this month (2 September and 6 September respectively).

Erick Mathoho return to the fold after missing out on the two matches as he was still recovering from the injury he sustained at the Rio Olympics Games.

Also making his comeback is fellow defender Rivaldo Coetzee who was withdrawn from the two previous matches because of illness.

Oupa Manyisa, Thulani Serero, Eleazor Rodgers, Brighton Mhlongo, May Mahlangu and Ayanda Patosi have also been recalled.

Mashaba says a positive start is crucial in the opening match.

"It is imperative that we have a flying start against Burkina Faso, we all saw what happened with the 2017 AFCON qualifiers that the first match is always the most important one as it sets the tone for the rest of the qualifiers. Anything other than a win in Burkina Faso will have us playing catch up and it is never an easy task for any country," said Mashaba.

"We must also ensure that we win our home games as anything less will not be enough to get us to Russia. We know we are carrying the hopes of the entire nation as we embark on these qualifiers, which go hand in hand with pressure, but then again it is part of the territory. But we are feeling very positive about the mission ahead. We have tweaked the team a bit to give it some freshness and we are confident we will do well."

Three days after facing Les Etalons, Bafana Bafana will face the Black Stars of Ghana (Tuesday, 11 October) in an international friendly match that will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Kickoff is at 19h00 and tickets are already on sale at R80 all round. They can be purchased at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers.

Bafana Bafana go into camp on Sunday, 2 October 2016.

They will have a training session the next day (Monday, 3 October) in Johannesburg and depart for Burkina Faso on Tuesday, 4 October.

They are expected to return to South Africa on Monday, 10 October.

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabokgwane, Itmeleng Khune, Brighton Mhlongo 

Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Abbubakar Mobara, Diamond Thopola, Tebogo Langerman, Eric Mathoho, Thabo Matlaba

Midfielders: Dean Furman, May Mahlangu, Thulani Serero, Oupa Manyisa, Ayanda Patosi, Keagan Dolly, Aubrey Modiba, Mpho Makola, Hlompho Kekana

Strikers: Eleazar Rodgers, Thamsanqa Gabuza, Thobani Mncwango, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tokelo Rantie.

FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 QUALIFIERS RUSSIA

Burkina Faso vs South Africa

Saturday, 8 October 2016

18h00 Burkina Faso (20h00 SA Time)

Stade Du 4 Aout

Ouagadougou

South Africa vs Senegal

Saturday, 12 November 2016

15h00

(Venue TBC)

Cape Verde vs South Africa

1/2 September 2017

(Time and Venue TBC)

South Africa vs Cape Verde

Tuesday, 5 September 2017

19h00

(Venue TBC)

South Africa vs Burkina Faso

Saturday, 7 October 2017

15h00

(Venue TBC)

Senegal vs South Africa

10/12 November 2017

(Time and Venue TBC)