Bafana name squad to face Burkina Faso and Ghana

23 Sep 2016 | Admin Author

Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has announced a squad of 25 players to face Burkina Faso and Ghana in back-to-back matches.

South Africa takes on The Stallions (Les Etalons) in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifiers on Saturday, October 8 at Stade Du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Kickoff is at 6pm local time (8pm SA time).

Mashaba has made several changes to the squad that played against Mauritania and Egypt earlier this month.

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Also making his comeback is fellow defender Rivaldo Coetzee who was withdrawn from the two previous matches because of illness.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

â€œIt 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.

â€œAnything other than a win in Burkina Faso will have us playing catch-up and it is never an easy task for any country,â€ said Mashaba.

â€œWe 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.

â€œBut 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.â€

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

Kick-off is at 7pm and tickets are on sale at R80 all round. They can be purchased at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers.

Bafana Bafana go into camp on Sunday, October 2. They will have a training session the next day in Johannesburg and depart for Burkina Faso on Tuesday, October 4.

The squad is expected to return to South Africa on Monday, October 10.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabokgwane (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Brighton Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Abbubaker Mobara (Orlando Pirates), Diamond Thopola (Chippa United), Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Dean Furman (SuperSport United), May Mahlangu (Dinamo Bucuresti, Romania), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren, Belgium), Keagan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns), Maphosa Modiba (SuperSport United), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Strikers: Eleazar Rodgers (Bidvest Wits), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Thobani Mcwango (Polokwane City), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tokelo Rantie GenÃ§lerbirligi, Turkey)

â€“ African News Agency (ANA)