Preview: Eswatini vs. Cape Verde

Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifying – Africa clash between Eswatini and Cape Verde, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Eswatini will be aiming to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they entertain the challenge of Cape Verde at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the away side make the trip to Nelspruit looking to get back to winning ways having recently snapped a run of three losses on the bounce.

Match preview

Eswatini were on the receiving end of a narrow 1-0 defeat against the Libyan Mediterranean Knights as the teams faced off on Friday afternoon.

Dominic Kunene’s men conceded a 53rd-minute opener to Ahmed Ekrawa and that turned out to be the all-important moment in a drab and cagey affair.

Consequently, Sihlangu Semnikati are now without a victory in five straight matches since early July, suffering three defeats in that time.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are unbeaten in the four previous editions of this fixture across all competitions.

Currently on a run of four home defeats on the bounce, Tuesday’s hosts will be desperate to give their fans reason to cheer this time around.

Cape Verde had to make do with a share of the spoils from their encounter against Angola which ended goalless at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde.

Pedro Leitao’s men were in the ascendancy for large spells of the contest but failed to convert their dominance into anything substantial.

While the Blue Sharks have managed to avoid a fourth straight loss, they remain winless across all competitions since the third week of June.

In what is set to be their final competitive outing before the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations commences, Tuesday’s visitors set out to secure a much-needed three points.

Eswatini World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:

Eswatini form (all competitions):

Cape Verde World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:

Cape Verde form (all competitions):

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Team News

Sabelo Ndzinisa is on course to record his 62nd cap for Eswatini which would put him just nine behind Tony Tsabedze at the top of the all-time appearances chart.

Philani Mkhontfo has directly contributed to three of the hosts’ last four goals, making the midfielder one to keep a close watch on here.

Cape Verde’s Jamiro Monteiro could earn a recall to the starting lineup for this one after coming off the bench against Angola last time out.

Thirty-three-year-old Ryan Mendes grabbed the winner in the last meeting between Tuesday’s opponents and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Eswatini possible starting lineup:
Shabalala; Manana, Ginindza, Silenge, Thwala; Matse, Mabelesa; Mkhontfo, Magagula, Matsebula; Ndzinisa

Cape Verde possible starting lineup:
Vozinha; Joao Paulo, Fernandes, Pico, Semedo; Cuca, Leandro, Duarte; Rodrigues, Bebe, Mendes

We say: Eswatini 0-1 Cape Verde

Cape Verde have enjoyed the better of this fixture more often than not and will back themselves to come out on top on Tuesday. We are tipping the visitors to get the job done come the end of the 90 minutes.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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