Preview: Rwanda vs. Mozambique - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams are on a tough run of results heading into this weekend's affair and they will be keen to get themselves back on track with all three points here.

Match preview

Rwanda were awarded a 3-0 defeat in their last AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic which originally ended 1-1 at Stade Regional Nyamirambo on March 29.

Thierry Manzi cancelled out Jodel Dossou's second-half opener to earn Carlos Alos's men what looked like a share of the spoils at the time.

As a result, The Wasps remain second in Group L but have now seen their lead over Benin cut to only goal difference from a three-point gap previously.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little separating the teams as the previous five meetings have yielded two wins apiece and a draw.

Losing five of their last six matches on home turf, Sunday's hosts have struggled in front of their fans of late and now would be as good a time as any to turn things around.

Mozambique played out a goalless draw against the Malawi Flames in Wednesday's friendly encounter between the teams at Estadio do Zimpeto.

Chiquinho Conde's men opened the scoring 10 minutes after half time through Telinho before Lanjesi Nkhoma levelled matters in the 74th minute.

That snapped a run of four consecutive defeats for Os Mambas who are now without a victory across all competitions since the first week of January.

Having let in a whopping eight goals across their last two matches away from home, Sunday's visitors will be wary of being picked apart defensively on the road.

Rwanda Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

D

L

D

D

Rwanda form (all competitions):

D

D

W

L

D

D

Mozambique Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

D

W

L

L

Mozambique form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

D

Team News

Off the back of consecutive outings on the bench, Telinho found the back of the net on his return to Mozambique's XI and should keep his place in the lineup.

Stanley Ratifo was on target in the last edition of this fixture, making the 28-year-old one to keep tabs on for this weekend's visiting team.

Rwanda's Ange Mutsinzi and Thierry Manzi are once again expected to feature together having formed a solid partnership in the heart of the defence.

As he nears the twilight of his career, Meddie Kagere's experience will be needed to help integrate the younger crop of players currently coming through the ranks.

Rwanda possible starting lineup:

Ntwali; Serumogo, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Imanishimwe; Rubanguka, York, Muhire; Mugisha, Muhoozi, Kagere

Mozambique possible starting lineup:

Guambe; Mexer, Chico, Dove, Martinho; Domingues, Kambala, Shaquille; Telinho, Ratifo, Clesio

We say: Rwanda 1-0 Mozambique

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