Angola out to avoid Mauritius upset

Angola will lock horns with Mauritius in the 2023 Cosafa Cup Group C match at the Princess Magogo Stadium in South Africa on Monday.

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

CURRENT FORM

Palancas Negras began their Group C campaign with an entertaining 1-1 draw against Mozambique as Antonio's late goal denied Angola a win on Friday night.

Angola are undefeated in their last three matches across all competitions and they are placed second in the group standings with one point.

Meanwhile, Mauritius started their Group C campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Lesotho on Friday night with Neo Mokhachane and Motebang Sera scoring for Likuena.

It was the Dodos' second defeat in their last three games across all competitions and they are placed fourth in the group standings with a single point.

TEAM NEWS

Mankoka Hegene Afonso, who is better known as Benarfa, will carry Angola's hopes of defeating Mauritius having hit the back of the net against Mozambique.

Jean Karen Kengy Saramandif, on the other hand, is the player to watch out for in this Mauritius team having netted the winning goal against Kenya in a friendly match last month.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Angola coach Zeca Amaral

"Mozambique took their chance and they drew. I say congratulations to them," Amaral said.

"As I have said before this is a young team. We are trying to build a new team. However, we will not give up.

"We will continue to work hard because we will face Mauritius in the next game. So, we will fight for a win in the next game."

Mauritius coach Etienne Rasoanaivo

"It was not a bad game for the Mauritian team. We had a good start," Rasoanaivo said.

"Unfortunately, we conceded a goal after our goalkeeper had made a mistake as the ball bounced on the pitch.

"But the guys were fighting in the second half. We played well in the middle and tried to score. I am satisfied with my team."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the 12th meeting between Angola and Mauritius across all competitions.

Palancas Negras have dominated this rivalry - winning eight matches compared to the Dodos' two victories, while one match ended in a draw.

The last meeting between the two teams was in July 2022 and Angola emerged as 1-0 winners in a 2022 Chan qualifier played in Luanda.