Botswana seek vengeance against Equatorial Guinea

Botswana will host Equatorial Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group J match at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

FORM

The Zebras succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea away on Friday and the Southern African side is now winless in five matches in the AFCON qualifiers.

Botswana are currently placed fourth on the group standings - five points behind second-placed Equatorial Guinea and six points behind leaders, Tunisia with three games left.

On the other hand, Equatorial Guinea are now undefeated in two matches in the AFCON qualifiers having recorded wins over Botswana and Libya.

The National Thunder's ambitions of qualifying for the finals are very much alive and they can still go on to win Group J as they are only a point behind Tunisia.

TEAM NEWS

Botswana will be without Thato Kebue as the Orapa United defender was dismissed eight minutes into the second half during the game against Equatorial Guinea.

The National Thunder, who scored through Saul Coco and Federico Bikoro, have no suspension worries coming into this encounter.

WHAT WAS SAID

Botswana head coach Mogomotsi Mpote

"I hope we do well [at home]. We failed to deal with wide pass in the first half [when we conceded]," Mpote said on Botswana Football.

"But we managed to address them [the issues we had in the first half], then we took the game to them.

"So, going back home the boys will do better. The group is open."

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

Equatorial Guinea and Botswana have met twice across all competitions with both teams having recorded a win.