Mozambique out to upset Ivory Coast

Mozambique will battle it out with Ivory Coast in their opening 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification group D match at the Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto on Friday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.

The Mambas will be looking to bounce back to winning ways, having failed to win their last two matches as they recorded defeats against Eswatini and South Africa two months ago.

Mozambique have never qualified for the World Cup finals and they will be hoping to start their group D campaign with a victory when they face the much-fancied Elephants.

Zainadine Junior, the Mambas defender, is confident that they can secure a win against the two-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.

“The mood of the group is good and we only thinking about winning," Zainadine said in a press conference.

"In fact, this is how we approach all games, always with a strong desire to win. Preparations have started now and we are going to work to achieve good results."

Diminutive attacker Luís Miquissone, who recently joined African champions Al Ahly from Tanzania giants Simba SC, is the dangerman for the Horacio Gonçalves-coached side.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast are enjoying a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions, having drawn with Ghana in a friendly game three months ago.

The Elephants have participated in three World Cup finals, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 showpiece and they are now determined to reach next year's tournament in Qatar.

Patrice Beaumelle, the Ivory Coast head coach, has revealed that he considers their six games in group D to be finals.

“All the matches in this group are finals. Six matches, six finals. If we lose points, we will fall behind and it will be difficult," Beaumelle said on Fratmat.

"We will therefore have to be very strong, very consistent, and especially since we are not thinking of Cameroon, even if the match will take place three days after that of Mozambique."

Turkey-based winger Max Gradel, who is the most capped player in the current Ivory Coast team, is the player to watch out for as he will look to use his speed to unsettle the Mambas defence.

The previous match between Mozambique and Ivory Coast was on 7 September 2008.

The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Estádio da Machava in Matola, Mozambique.