Eswatini will go head-to-head with Botswana in the 2023 Cosafa Cup Group A match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Sihlangu Semnikati succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Togo away in a 2023 Afcon qualifier on June 18 and they are winless in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Eswatini are also winless in their last two matches in the Cosafa Cup having registered two consecutive defeats against Senegal and Botswana.
Meanwhile, Botswana secured a 1-0 win over Libya at home in a 2023 Afcon qualifier on June 17 as they snapped their nine-match winless run across all competitions.
The Zebras have lost two of their last three matches in the Cosafa Cup with the other game ending in a win over Eswatini just before they lost to South Africa.
TEAM NEWS
Siboniso 'Gaxa' Ngwenya has been left out of the Eswatini squad for the Cosafa Cup due to an injury, but Philani Mkhonto is back after missing the game against Togo.
For Botswana, on the other hand, Lizo Kitso Skweyiya, who is currently unattached, has been added to the Zebras squad ahead of the regional tournament.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Eswatini head coach Dominic Kunene
"It wasn't easy during preparations as we are recovering from the defeats [against Cape Verde and Togo in 2023 Afcon qualifiers]," Kunene said to the Swazi Observer.
"We had to prepare the players both mentally and physically. I would like to thank the technical bench for their commitment and contribution to the team.
"We want to finish in a better position in this tournament. It's a tough group, we know. We will put in our best effort."
Botswana head coach Mogomotsi Mpote
"The morale is very high, the boys are putting their all. I am happy, I didn't expect this. I believe that everything is going well," Mpote said in a Botswana Football Association video.
"Tomorrow... we will drop the intensity because we are playing on Wednesday. It will be just working on the magnetism, I am referring to the game plan.
"Just to remind them [the players] of the attacking transitions and all the moments that can hurt us or hurt the opponent."
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the 31st meeting between Eswatini and Botswana across all competitions.
The Zebras have the upper hand having won 15 matches compared to Sihlangu Semnikati's six victories, while nine matches ended in a draw.