Cape Verde will face off with Eswatini in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group B match at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia on Friday.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
FORM
The Blue Sharks secured a 2-0 victory over Togo at home in their previous Group B game in June last year as the Islanders bounced back to winning ways in the Afcon qualifiers.
Cape Verde are placed second on the group standings with three points from two matches and they are three points behind leaders Burkina Faso who have won their first two games.
On the other hand, Eswatini suffered a 3-1 defeat to Burkina Faso at home in their last Group B match in June last year and they are winless in their last two matches in the Afcon qualifiers.
The King's Shield is placed third on the group standings with one point from two games and they will leapfrog Cape Verde if they defeat Blue Sharks.
TEAM NEWS
Cape Verde head coach Bubista included several newcomers to the national team namely, Alessio da Cruz, Ivanildo Fernandes, Kevin Sousa, and Dylan Silva who will be keen to make their debut for the Blue Sharks.
Meanwhile, Bubista's counterpart, Dominic Kunene surprisingly omitted experienced attackers Justice Figuareido and Felix Badenhorst who is Eswatini's joint all-time top scorer with 15 goals.
WHAT WAS SAID?
New Cape Verde defender Ivanildo Fernandes
“I was born in Portugal, I was in the youth teams of the national team up to the under-21s," Fernandes said on Balai CV.
"At 26 I knew I had to make a choice, which was to honour Cape Verde, the country of my parents, which is also my land. You can count on me as I am a team player and I will always give everything for the success of the team.
“Motivation is high because we are a very united group with the objective of qualifying for Afcon and I am honoured and privileged to be in the Cape Verde national team."
Eswatini head coach Dominic Kunene
“We would first like to thank Eswatini Football Association (EFA) for having provided the players with all the needs while in camp," Kunene said on Swazi Observer.
“We are well prepared for the game and the players have been showing great spirit in the training sessions we have been having since the first day of our camp.
'We will fight for the nation."
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Cape Verde and Eswatini have met twice across all competitions.
The Blue Sharks boast of an unbeaten record against the King's Shield - registering a win and a draw.
Their last meeting ended in a 3-0 victory in favour of Cape Verde in the 2006 Fifa World Cup qualifier in Praia in November 2003.