Tunisia will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they visit the Francistown Sports Stadium to face Botswana on Sunday.
The Zebras, who are currently on a three-game winless streak across all competitions, will head into the weekend seeking to end this dry spell and get their qualification campaign up and running.
Match preview
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Botswana were denied a dream start to their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they fell to a slender 1-0 defeat at the hands of Libya when the sides squared off on Wednesday.
In a cagey affair at the Martyrs of February Stadium, Saleh Taher rebounded home Sanad Al Werfalli's missed penalty to hand the hosts their first win in five competitive outings.
Prior to that, Botswana were last in action back in July 2021, when Thatayaone Kgamanyane canceled out Sabelo Ndzinisa's first-half opener to force a share of the spoils with Eswatini in Group A of their COSAFA Cup.
Adel Amrouche's side have now failed to taste victory in each of their last three games across all competitions, picking up a draw and losing twice since seeing off Lesotho 4-0 back in July 2021.
The Zebras also head into the weekend on a run of three defeats on the bounce in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while managing just one win in 12 outings since their 1-0 defeat to Angola in Group I back in 2018.
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Tunisia, on the other hand, kicked off their hunt for a 16th consecutive appearance at the continent's biggest tournament on a high as they cruised to a 4-0 home victory over Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.
Following an uneventful first half, the Carthage Eagles turned in a performance of the highest quality in the second period as Naim Sliti, Seifeddine Jaziri and a brace from substitute Youssef Msakni saw them pick up a comfortable opening-day victory.
Prior to that, Jalel Kadri's men secured their place at the World Cup later this year when they claimed a 1-0 aggregate victory over their West African counterparts Mali in the qualification playoffs back in March.
Tunisia head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last three outings across all competitions, picking up two wins and one draw since January's 1-0 loss to Burkina Faso which saw them crash out of the 2022 AFCON in the quarter-finals.
They have also avoided defeat in seven consecutive Africa Cup of Nations qualification games — picking up six wins and one draw — stretching back to last year's qualifiers, where they enjoyed an unbeaten campaign in Group J.
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Team News
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Despite their lack of sting in attack against Libya, the trio of Thabang Sesinyi, Kabelo Seakanyeng and 26-year-old Tumisang Orebonye should lead the Botswana attack once again.
Rudolph Mpho Kgaswane will push for a starting role on Sunday following an impressive cameo off the bench last time out, while we expect an unchanged centre-back pairing of Mosha Gaolaolwe and Supersport defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe.
Meanwhile, Kadri could stick to the side that comfortably saw off Equatorial Guinea in Thursday's group opener, meaning we could see the midfield trio of Ferjani Sassi, Aissa Laidouni and Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri.
Further back, Ali Abdi, Montassar Talbi, Nader Ghandri and Mohamed Drager were rock solid against the Nzalang Nacional and should form the defensive unit shielding Bechir Ben Said between the sticks.
Msakni turned in a performance of the highest quality when he came off the bench to score a brace and the 31-year-old forward could be rewarded with a starting role, teaming up with Al-Ettifaq man Sliti.
Botswana possible starting lineup:
Phoko; Kebue, Ditlhokwe, Gaolaolwe, Johnson; Ditsele, Kgaswane, Cooper; Seakanyeng, Orebonye, Sesinyi
Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Said; Drager, Ghandri, Talbi, Abdi; Laidouni, Sassi, Mejbri; Sliti, Msakni, Al Arbi
We say: Botswana 0-2 Tunisia
Tunisia have flown out of the blocks in style and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling and strengthen their lead at the top of the group. We predict the Carthage Eagles will come away with all three points against the hosts, who have failed to win six of their last seven games on home turf.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
