Group G of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers kicks off with a meeting between Botswana and Mozambique the Francistown Stadium on Thursday.
The hosts will be aiming to pick up consecutive victories having returned to winning ways last time out, while their visitors go in search of a first win in three outings.
Match preview
Botswana claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Eswatini when the sides locked horns in a friendly matchup at the Lobatse Stadium on October 16.
Didier Gomes Da Rosa's men opened the scoring four minutes shy of the half-hour mark through Tumisang Orebonye but were pegged back by Neliso Myeni, after which Lemogang Maswena grabbed the winner.
That was a first win in five outings for the Zebras since they saw off the threat of Eswatini in the group stages of the COSAFA Cup back in July.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost just one of the most recent five editions of this fixture, winning three of the other four.
Currently on a run of two wins and a draw from their last three home matches, Thursday's hosts have turned a corner in front of their fans of late and will be confident of picking up a positive result here.
Mozambique were on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira on October 16.
Chiquinho Conde's men took the lead early on through Geny Catamo but went into the interval 3-1 down thanks to strikes from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon before Faisal Bangal pulled one back.
Consequently, Os Mambas have now been beaten for the first time in four matches across all competitions and a first friendly encounter since the turn of the year.
With a daunting assignment against Algeria to follow Thursday's contest, the away side will be keen to kick off their World Cup qualifying journey on a high.
Team News
Tumisang Orebonye is without a goal in his 11 matches at club level this term, but the forward is expected to lead the line for Botswana nonetheless.
Ethany Mahoto misses out on a place in the hosts' squad once again and remains without an international appearance since last November.
Geny Catamo is unlikely to feature for Mozambique in this one, having sat out each of Sporting CP's last three outings before the international break.
Faisal Bangal is definitely one to keep an eye on here, with the 28-year-old currently boasting six goals in as many league games this term.
Botswana possible starting lineup:
Malapela; Velaphi, Kopelang, Ditlhokwe, Mangolo; Mohutsiwa, Ditsele, Modingwane; Seakanyeng, Orebonye, Sesinyi
Mozambique possible starting lineup:
Fasistencio; Langa, Nene, Dove, Domingos; Guima, Amadu; Witi; Bangal, Gilfo, Ratifo
We say: Botswana 1-1 Mozambique
There is little to choose between the sides heading into this one, and Thursday's game is firmly in the balance. We can see the sides matching each other over the course of the 90 minutes to settle for a share of the spoils in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
