Eswatini and Burkina Faso square up in their second 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Both teams have made decent starts to their qualifying campaigns and will be looking to pick up where they left off last time out.
Match preview
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Burkina Faso saw off the threat of a highly-spirited Cape Verde side in a 2-0 victory at the Stade de Marrakech on Friday.
Following a quiet opening 45 minutes, second-half goals from Hassane Bande and Dango Ouattara propelled Kamou Malo's men to all three points.
Consequently, Les Etalons have now snapped a four-game losing streak since beating Tunisia 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the AFCON back in January.
The West Africans have also started their journey to be in the hat for next year's continental event on a good note as they currently sit top of their qualifying group.
Off the back of 3-0 and 5-0 thrashings in their last two outings away from home, Tuesday's hosts will be aiming to arrest their slump in form on the road.
Eswatini opened their qualifying journey with a 2-2 draw against the Sparrowhawks of Togo in Friday's meeting at the Stade de Kegue.
Dominic Kunene's men trailed on two separate occasions to strikes from Meme Placca and Kodjo Laba, but Sabelo Ndzinisa and Siboniso Ngwenya were also on target to force a share of the spoils.
The Sihlangu Semnikati sit second in Group B as it stands, and a victory in their next outing would see them claim top spot in the group.
However, Tuesday's hosts head into the clash seeking their first win in this fixture having lost both of the previous two meetings against the away side by a combined score of 8-1.
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Team News
Eswatini's Philani Mkhontfo came off the bench to good effect last time out, and the 27-year-old could be rewarded with a start in this one.
Having scored in three of his last four international outings, 30-year-old Sabelo Ndzinisa is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Edmond Tapsoba is a doubt for Tuesday's game after he was hauled off in the first half of his side's last outing with a minor injury.
Should Tapsoba be deemed unfit to participate, Hassane Bande is expected to come into the starting XI for Burkina Faso.
Eswatini possible starting lineup:
Sandanezwe; Thwala, Mkhwanazi, Mkhontfo, Mkhonta; Ngwenya, Diamini; Mamba, Ndzinisa, Mabalesa; Matse
Burkina Faso possible starting lineup:
Koffi; Kabore, Dayo, Tapsoba, Guiebre; Sangare, Bandaogo, Toure; Ouattara, Bande, Bayala
We say: Eswatini 1-1 Burkina Faso
Eswatini are unbeaten in their last five games on home turf, so we expect them to put up a good fight. Burkina Faso, on the other hand, boast a more experienced crop of players, and we are backing a draw in this one with honours even at the sound of the full-time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
