Zebras out to kick dangerous Desert Foxes
Botswana will be hoping to cause an upset when they host Algeria in Friday's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
The Zebras are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions, having held Egypt to a 1-1 draw in the 2025 Afcon qualifier in November 2024 in what was their second successive draw.
Botswana are placed third in the Group G standings - three points behind leaders, Algeria, and second-placed Mozambique with six matches left in this round of the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Algeria are also enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, having thumped Liberia 5-1 in the 2025 Afcon qualifier in November 2024 - a sixth win in their last seven games.
The Desert Foxes are placed at the top of the Group G standings and a win over Botswana would see the North African giants take a step towards qualifying for the World Cup for the fifth time.
🎥| أجواء انطلاق تربص المنتخب الوطني للاعبين المحليين بمدينة عنابة
— Équipe d'Algérie de football (@LesVerts) March 18, 2025
#LesVerts | #123vivalAlgérie🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/zw67vOeZMg
TEAM NEWS
Botswana's No 1 goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko, has been included in the latest Zebras squad despite having struggled with injuries in the current season.
Algeria, on the other hand, have had to make several changes to their squad due to injuries and the likes of Oussama Benhot and Sohaib Nair have been added to the Desert Foxes squad.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Botswana head coach Morena Ramoreboli:
"Kabelo Dambe and Phoko were the members who were key in us qualifying for Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and we felt that with him (Phoko) being ready to play, fit to compete, it is very important for us to have him," Ramoreboli said on Mmegi.
"We held our camp in Jwaneng where we made our assessments and we established that he is ready to play, fit to compete. We have enough time to bring him in camp to make sure that he gives us what he usually gives us."
Final Botswana 🇧🇼 squad. They were among the first to release a prelim roster this window.
— The International Window (@windowintlpod) March 14, 2025
Four of the 18 new faces make the final roster: Mmangwadi, Shadikong, Keselebale, Tauyatswala.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/7CBhfO9eFO
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic:
"Benbot has been part of our goalkeeping arsenal, but it’s now time to introduce Sohaib Nair," Petkovic said on Footboom.
"He's been on our radar and has shown impressive physical attributes in his club matches, which we believe can enhance our gameplay."
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Botswana and Algeria have met twice and both matches were won by the Desert Foxes.
Their last meeting ended in a 5-0 win in favour of the North African giants in the 2021 Afcon qualifier played in Blida in March 2021.
