Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba evaded the question when asked on Friday whether he believes his SA Football Association (Safa) bosses remain behind him as Bafana Bafana coach. Mashaba announced a strong squad yesterday to meet Burkina Faso in Bafana’s opening 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier in Ouagadougou on Saturday‚ October 8. The embattled coach’s future has reportedly been discussed by Safa following SA’s failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.At first Mashaba joked amiably about the question. “I see‚ now you want me to be fired at work‚ hey?” he grinned‚ adding: “What do you expect me to say?“But on a serious note‚ what we request‚ yes we do get. Especially with flights and travel and so on.“That is the kind of support that we look for. I don’t know whether that is enough for your question‚ but I wouldn’t want to answer you beyond saying that.“Those are some of the things that we need to direct to the office of the CEO [Dennis Mumble]‚ I think.”A disastrous start to their Afcon campaign – with a 0-0 home draw against Gambia and 3-1 defeat away to Mauritania – cost Bafana qualification for Gabon 2017.Mashaba is clearly aware he needs a good start to the Russia 2018 campaign against Burkina Faso. He needs it not just to stand a chance of qualification from a winnable Group D that also includes Senegal and Cape Verde Islands‚ but also to try to get back on firm ground with his employers.Many in the corridors of the association are believed to be unhappy by the way Mashaba handled the 2017 Afcon campaign‚ where poor planning and team selections hampered Bafana’s progress. They finished third in their group behind Cameroon and Mauritania.Mashaba has recalled some of his heavyweight performers for the trip to Ougadougou‚ including Ajax Amsterdam forward Thulani Serero and playmaker May Mahlangu‚ who signed this month for Dinamo Bucharest in Romania.The coach has Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa back from injury. With goal-scoring identified by Mashaba as the Achilles heel for his team in the Gabon 2017 qualifiers‚ Lokeren forward Ayanda Patosi and Polokwane City striker Thobani Mncwango have been included.“We sit down and check the opponents’ strong and weak points. That is why we select this kind of team‚” Mashaba said.“Players like Patosi‚ Serero and Mahlangu have been part and parcel of this team for a long time. Mahlangu stopped [being called for Bafana] for a long time because he got injured.“But we sat down and looked at what these players can offer the team‚ and that we needed to call them back based on that.”Mashaba admitted to not researching Gambia and Mauritania in great and appears to have backtracked on his position on knowing his opponents.“The question of analysis has been coming up a lot. It’s a worrying factor. You can’t go and play other countries without knowing how they play‚” Mashaba said.“If you look at our line-up you will see that we have adjusted here and there to be able to venture into this type of country - because most of these countries use physique and aggression.”Safa’s technical committee was to report back at the national executive committee meeting at Safa House on Saturday on Mashaba’s assessment of the failed 2017 campaign.Bafana 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)‚ Abbubakar Mobara (Orlando Pirates)‚ Diamond Thopola (Chippa United)‚ Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Mulomowandau Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates).Midfielders: Dean Furman (SuperSport United)‚ May Mahlangu (Dinamo Bucharest‚ Romania)‚ Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam‚ Netherlands)‚ 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 Mncwango (Polokwane City)‚ Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Tokelo Rantie (Genclerbirligi‚ Turkey)...