Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024 COSAFA Cup
Group A
Mozambique v Botswana
Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Gqeberha, South Africa
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
Kick-off is at 15h00
Mozambique are set to renew their rivalry with Botswana in the 2024 COSAFA Cup at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday, July 2.
The two teams met as recently as January 8 as part of the Mambas' preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with the friendly ending in a 1-1 draw.
They also clashed in a 2026 World Cup qualifier two months earlier which saw Mozambique come away 3-2 victors, having survived a spirited second-half comeback from the Zebras.
Group A is still tightly contested as all four teams are level on two points, with Victor Matine's side occupying second place behind South Africa.
This, after Mozambique battled back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana on June 26 before sharing the spoils in a goalless stalemate against Eswatini three days later.
Matine felt there was a marked improvement from his players in the second game after they struggled to control possession against South Africa.
"It was a good game for us, we created a lot of chances but we didn't score," he said. "But I'm so happy with how the players did in this match.
"Eswatini played very well too, but the team who created a lot of chances, it was Mozambique ... in the first game, technically the team was bad in the first half. We lost many balls and we didn't keep possession.
"But today was different. We made some changes, we introduced four players so that was one fix that we did in order to get a good performance."
Botswana are still searching for their first goal of the tournament after playing out to successive 0-0 draws against the King's Shield and Bafana Bafana.
Didier Da Rosa expressed pride in his young players for sticking to the plan and believes the experience will serve them well in the future.
"Second draw but we didn't concede a goal. I'm proud of my players today because they respect very well the plan we have worked on," Da Rosa said.
"It was very interesting for me as a coach to see these young players be very disciplined. It is a good experience for them, they need to grow up and this kind of match for sure they learned a lot.
"We know we have a big match to play against Mozambique on Tuesday and for sure we need to change the tactical system to be more offensive."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Meetings)
Matches - 5
Mozambique wins - 3
Botswana wins - 0
Draws - 2
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