Preview: Mozambique vs. Zimbabwe - prediction, team news, lineups

COSAFA Cup specialists Zimbabwe kick off their quest for a third title in four years when they face off against Mozambique on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Mozambique go in search of a good start as they look to make it past the group stages for the first time in five years.

Match preview

Zimbabwe were denied an opportunity to compete in the COSAFA Cup final for the third time running as they bowed out to Zambia in the semi-final two years ago.

Zdravko Logarusic's men took their counterparts all the way to penalties, where they ultimately came up short, losing 4-2.

Since then, The Warriors have bounced back superbly to secure their place at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

For now, though, their focus is on extending their record six COSAFA Cup triumphs, as defending champions Zambia are now closing in on them with five.

Wednesday's contest is the second meeting between the teams in this competition in the last four years, after an emphatic 4-0 triumph for Zimbabwe in 2017.

Mozambique have suffered six consecutive defeats in all competitions and head into the COSAFA Cup in dire need of a lift.

Horacio Goncalves's men opened their AFCON qualifying campaign with four points from the first six, but picked up none in the remaining four games.

As a result, Os Mambas failed to secure a place at next year's event, meaning that their 10-year wait to appear in the AFCON goes on.

Opening games have proven to be an Achilles heel for Mozambique, who have lost each of their last three curtain-raisers in this tournament.

Team News

Once again, Zimbabwe will be heavily reliant in attack on Ovidy Karuru, who has scored the most goals in a single COSAFA Cup campaign.

Carlos Mavhurume and Malvin Mkolo are expected to man the six-time champions' defence in front of Washington Arubi in goal.

Horacio Goncalves may opt to drop 37-year-old Domingues as he attempts to fix a dysfunctional attack which has scored only one goal in the last five games.

Kevin Cumbane was the scorer of that solitary goal, and the 21-year-old could be his nation's best hope of a productive campaign.

Mozambique possible starting lineup:

Franque; Chico, Junior, Sidique; Catamo, Kambala, Kito, Quito; Miquissone, Bauque, Cumbane

Zimbabwe possible starting lineup:

Arubi; Mavhurume, Mkolo, Dzingai, Phiri; Chikwende, Dube, Fabisch; Matare, Mutizwa, Rusike

We say: Mozambique 0-2 Zimbabwe

Given their pedigree in this competition, Zimbabwe will fancy themselves to come out on top, and we are backing them a claim a routine victory come the full-time whistle.