Equatoria Guinea will face Botswana in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group J match at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo in Malabo on Friday.
Kick-off is at 9:00 pm CAT.
FORM
The National Thunder claimed a 2-0 victory over Libya at home in their last Group J game in June last year as they snapped their two-match winless run in the Afcon qualifiers.
Equatorial Guinea are currently placed second on the group standings with three points from two matches and they are a point behind leaders, Tunisia.
On the other hand, Botswana were held to a 0-0 draw at home in their previous Group J match in June last year and they are now winless in four matches in the Afcon qualifiers.
The Zebras are placed fourth on the group standings with one point from two matches, but they are three points behind leaders, Tunisia with four games left.
TEAM NEWS
The experienced Emilio Nsue has been recalled to the Equatorial Guinea squad by head coach Juan Micha Obiang having missed the National Thunder’s friendly matches against Togo and Rwanda last year.
Meanwhile, Botswana camped in Morocco as part of their preparations for their Group J games against Equatorial Guinea and their star attackers Kabelo Seakanyeng, and Tumisaing Orebonye are based in the North African country.
WHAT WAS SAID
Equatorial Guinea attacker Adrian Garrido
“Yes. In such a short group stage, each game is key. So you have to face those games [against Botswana] as two finals,” Garrido said on Cadenaser.
“And you shouldn’t get carried away either by the fact that Botswana is bottom because the difference in points is minimal and at this level, anyone can beat you.
“Maximum respect for the rival, play with the greatest possible desire, and face the game in the best possible way.”
Botswana head coach Mogomotsi Mpote
“Our players have what it takes to play any country. We have good talent here [in Botswana]. We just have to nurture them properly, ” Mpote told Botswana Football Association media.
“As national team coaches have attended courses abroad and we know what is being done abroad. I am talking about football science, nutrition, and psychology. So, we make sure that the players are ready when coming into such games.
“Tactically they should also be ready. We need your (Botswana fans) usual support, when we come back from Equatorial Guinea, we will go to Francistown, we will need you. You are our 12th player, and you are very important to us.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Equatorial Guinea and Botswana have met once across all competitions.
The Zebras emerged as 2-0 winners over the National Thunder in a friendly match in Malabo on 12 October 2010.
Source : SuperSport