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Eswatini and Mozambique lock horns at the Mbombela Stadium in neutral South Africa on Monday for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The sides meet for the second time in three days as their earlier clash on Friday ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Stanley Ratifo put the Mambas in front after 73 minutes, giving them a big psychological advantage going into the final quarter of the match. However, just seven minutes later, Thubelihle Mavuso equalized for the King's Shield, earning them their first point of the campaign.
Both their previous qualifying matches had ended in a pair of 1-0 defeats, first against Guinea-Bissau and then Mali. It had relegated them to the bottom of Group I, but they remain there even after this week's draw.
Ranked 159th in the world, Zdravko Logarušić's side are looking to make their AFCON debut at next year's Moroccan showpiece, but their hopes are fast fading.
Meanwhile, Mozambique are in second place with five points and well-placed to qualify for the final tournament. If it does transpire, then it would mark their second consecutive appearance, having qualified for the 2023 edition, which ended a 13-year wait to play in the finals again.
However, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels as Guinea-Bissau are breathing down their neck, sitting only two points adrift. Any slip-up at this stage could prove costly and the Mambas know that very well.
Eswatini vs Mozambique Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- There have been 21 clashes between the sides in history, with the Mambas winning 12 times in the fixture and losing only twice.
- However, the King's Shield are unbeaten in their last three clashes against Mozambique.
- Chiquinho Conde's side are unbeaten in their last 11 games (including friendly matches), but have won just four times during this run. Their rivals are winless in their last nine games across all competitions and friendlies.
- Mozambique are ranked 99th in the world. Their rivals from southern Africa are 60 places below them.
Eswatini vs Mozambique Prediction
Mozambique must have kicked themselves for conceding late on in their last encounter after having broken the deadlock deep in the second half. But they were the better side, and they come into the fixture unbeaten in their last 11 games, a stark contrast to their rivals' nine-game winless run.
The Mambas should be able to right the wrongs of the first clash here.
Prediction: Eswatini 0-1 Mozambique
Eswatini vs Mozambique Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Mozambique to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No
