Preview: Eswatini vs. Guinea-Bissau – prediction, team news, lineups

The action continues in Group I of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when Eswatini and Guinea-Bissau go head to head at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday.

While Zdravko Logarusic‘s men have already been eliminated and will be playing for pride, the Djurtus need all three points to keep their hopes of reaching Morocco alive.

Match preview

© Imago

Eswatini’s dreams of qualifying for the 20265 Africa Cup of Nations effectively came to an end on October 14 when they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mozambique in the second of their Group I double-header.

Stanley Ratifo and 41-year-old Domingues scored first-half goals at the Mbombela Stadium to send the visitors on their way before 24-year-old Geny Catamo struck in the 59th minute to make sure of the result.

Eswatini had kicked off their qualifying journey with back-to-back defeats against Guinea-Bissau and Mali, before salvaging a 1-1 draw against Mozambique in the first of their two consecutive on October 11 meetings courtesy of an 80th-minute equaliser from Thubelihle Mavuso.

The Sihlangu Semnikati’s wait for a first-ever AFCON appearance goes on as they sit rock-bottom in Group I with one point from a possible 12, seven points off second-placed Mali heading into the final two matches.

While Eswatini will be playing for pride on Friday, they head into the game with sky-high spirits, having completed a 4-0 aggregate victory over Zimbabwe in the first round of 2025 African Nations Championship qualifiers on November 2.

Guinea-Bissau, on the other hand, suffered another blow in their quest for a place in Morocco as they played out a goalless draw with Mali at the Estadio Nacional 24 de Setembro on October 15.

A total of 19 shots were fired in the game, but with both sides fluffing their lines in front of goal, neither goalkeeper would end up picking the ball out of the back of the net, with a draw being a fair result upon reflection.

Prior to that, Guinea-Bissau secured a 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in September’s group opener thanks to a first-half effort from Bura Nogueira, before suffering back-to-back defeats against Mozambique and Mali.

Luis Boa Morte‘s men have picked up four points from their four games in the AFCON qualifiers to sit third in the Group I standings, four points adrift of first-placed Mozambique heading into the final two games.

Guinea-Bissau will be backing themselves to bounce back this weekend as they take on an opposing side who have lost each of the previous three meetings between the two nations, conceding seven goals and scoring just once since November 2019.

Eswatini Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Eswatini form (all competitions):

Guinea-Bissau Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Guinea-Bissau form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Eswatini have called up 22 players for November’s qualifiers, including the Green Mambas quartet of Xolani Gama, Mxolisi Manana, Njabulo Thwala and striker Sabelo Ndzinisa.

Gama should start between the sticks once again, with Sibonelo Sibandze, Sibongakonkhe Silenge, Fanelo Mamba and Thwala teaming up at the defensive end of the pitch.

Mavuso and Bongwa Matsebula should lead the Sihlangu Semnikati’s attack this weekend while we expect Neliswa Dlamini and Royal Leopard man Junior Magagula to team up at the center of the park.

Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau have named a 24-man list for the qualifying games against Eswatini and Mozambique, with Morte sticking with the majority of the players called up in October’s international break.

Jefferson Encada, Opa Sangante and Nanu started the game against Mali last time out and should retain their roles in the back four while Alfa Semedo, Dalcio and Gaziantep man Janio Bikel should start in midfield.  

While it has been an underwhelming first two games from Everton striker Beto, who recently switched allegiances from Portugal, the 26-year-old should lead the Djurtus’ attack once again, alongside Stade Brestois’ Mama Balde, who has six goals in 32 caps since debuting in June 2019.

Eswatini possible starting lineup:
Gama; Sibandze, Silenge, Mamba, Thwala; Tfomo, Dlamini, Magagula, Ngwenya; Mavuso, Matsebula

Guinea-Bissau possible starting lineup:
Manuel Balde; Encada, Sangante, Cande, Nanu; Semedo, Dalcio, Bikel; Mama Balde, Beto, Rodrigues

We say: Eswatini 0-2 Guinea-Bissau

Meeting all three points to keep their quest for a place in Morocco alive, we expect Guinea-Bissau to go all out from the first minute at the Mbombela Stadium.

Morte’s side boast the firepower needed to get this one over the line and we are backing them to see off an Eswatini side who have managed just one point from their four qualifying games.

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

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