SportsMall previews Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Botswana and Cape Verde, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Botswana And Cape Verde The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will see them square off in the second leg of an October double-header on Tuesday.
After a hard-fought victory when the two teams clashed in Brea at the weekend, the Zebras will travel to Francistown Stadium to complete a double over the visitors and move into second place in the table.
Competition preview
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Botswana got their quest to qualify for Morocco with a 2-0 win over Cape Verde on Thursday when the two nations clashed at the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde.
Despite 75% possession and over 25 shots, Cape Verde were left empty-handed. Tumison OreboniA second-minute strike was enough to give the visitors all three points.
This is a much needed result Didier Gomez da RosaThe men have failed to win their previous four matches in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, including defeats against Mauritania and Egypt in their first two games.
Botswana, currently ranked 147th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, will look to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since July 2023 and move up to second in Group C.
Having first featured in the continental showpiece in 2012, the Zebras have their sights set on securing a second straight AFCON appearance as they make their group-stage exit after losing all three games in Group D.
For Cape Verde, Thursday's defeat saw them fall back down to earth in their quest for a third consecutive AFCON appearance as they managed just three points from their opening three matches.
Pupista's men reached the round of 16 of the 2021 AFCON, where they lost in the quarter-finals to Ivory Coast two years ago, losing 2-0 against eventual winners Senegal.
The Blue Sharks opened their quest for a place in Morocco with a 3-0 defeat against Egypt Cairo on 6 September, but bounced back four days later with a 2-0 win over Mauritania at the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde.
Cape Verde head into Tuesday's run of four defeats in their last six games in all competitions, including a 4-1 loss to Cameroon in 2026 World Cup qualifying, where they sit third with seven points from four games. Group D is top with one point.
Botswana Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Botswana Format (All Matches):
Cape Verde Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Cape Verde Format (All Matches):
Group messages
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Following a standout defensive display on Friday, we expect Assistant Johnson, Potassium injections, Mosha Gaolaolwe And Alford Velaphi Koitsone Fogo has put Botswana behind for four.
Thank you Mayor And Aso heads the midfield And cursed Once again the team should join up in the center of the park, while we should see Oreboni and the 32-year-old attacking duo. Gilbert Baruthi.
On the injury front, Township Rollers man Motholesi sikele He picked up the injury in the 84th minute on Thursday and the 32-year-old forward is a major doubt for Botswana.
For Cape Verde, Ryan Mendes, Gilson Tavares And Gent Striker Helio Varela Has started the last two AFCON qualifiers and should once again handle business in attack.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Vitoria de Guimaraes man Bruno Varela should start in goal. Wagner Pina, Logan Costa, Roberto Lopes and Sheriff Thiraspole Joao Paulo Makes the back four.
Botswana Probable Starting Lineup:
Goat; Johnson, Needles, Cut, Velabi; The boy, the mayor, is cursed, right; Let's see pastors
Cape Verde Probable Starting Lineup:
P Varela; Pina, Costa, Lopes; Montero, Duarte, Lenini; Mendes, Tavares, H Varela
We say: Botswana 1-2 Cape Verde
Cape Verde will be scratching their heads at how they dropped all three points on Friday, despite their dominance in front of stacked home supporters. On paper, Bupista's men are favorites going into Tuesday and we back them to take all three points, albeit by a narrow margin.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
