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

Mozambique and Rwanda face off at the FNB Stadium on Thursday as both sides seek to begin their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a high note.

The teams have been drawn in Group L of the qualifiers where they will do battle with Benin and AFCON defending champions Senegal.

Match preview

Mozambique were narrowly beaten 1-0 by the Sihlangu Semnikati of Eswatini in last Tuesday's meeting at Campo da ABB.

The game was decided just past the hour mark as Khethokuhle Mkhontfo opened the scoring with a lovely finish to sink Chiquinho Conde's men.

As a result, Os Mambas have now failed to win any of their three outings since the turn of the year which is surely a cause for concern.

Next up for them is the challenge of an opposing side who have proven to be a tough nut to crack with the previous four meetings yielding two wins apiece for either side.

The most recent of those encounters came back in March 2021 as Thursday's hosts fell to a 1-0 AFCON qualifying defeat against the visitors, although that proved to be inconsequential as both teams eventually failed to reach the tournament proper.

Rwanda are yet to feature on the international stage since a 2-0 defeat against the National Elephants of Guinea back in January.

First-half goals from Mohamed Bayo and Naby Keita put Haruna Niyonzima's men to the sword at the Amahoro Stadium.

The Amavubi have now lost all but one of their last six matches and will be looking to arrest this slump in form as soon as possible.

That run includes three straight away defeats against Kenya, Uganda and Mali, leaving Thursday's visitors with another uphill task on the road in this one.

Team News

Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava headlines Mozambique's 35-man squad for the first round of the AFCON qualifiers.

Domingues Pelembe currently sits on 95 international caps and the 38-year-old is on course to move joint-top of his nation's all-time appearance charts.

Maddie Kagere and Rafael York have both been named in Rwanda's 28-man squad for this one, but the duo will link up with the rest of their teammates in Johannesburg.

No active Rwandan player has scored more international goals than the aforementioned Kagere, who boasts 15 strikes in 48 national-team caps.

Mozambique possible starting lineup:

Guambe; Reinildo, Langa, Sitoe, Bauque; Tanala, Momade, Bonde; Domingues, Ratifo, Catamo

Rwanda possible starting lineup:

Ntwali; Manzi, Mutsinzi, Nirisarike, Niyomugabo; Muhire, Nishimwe, Manishimwe; York, Kagere, Hakizimana

We say: Mozambique 1-0 Rwanda

Both teams have found goals hard to come by of late, so we expect a low-scoring affair. That said, we are also backing Mozambique to come out on top by the odd goal come the sound of the final whistle.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.