Preview: Togo vs. Eswatini - prediction, team news, lineups

The sides have been drawn in Group B of the qualifiers, where they will take on Cape Verde and Burkina Faso for a place at next year's showpiece in Ivory Coast.

Match preview

In the second of two straight unofficial friendlies, Togo held Algeria to an impressive goalless stalemate at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium on April 10.

Paulo Duarte's men had lost the first outing 1-0, but a superb defensive display saw them come away with a share of the spoils in Blida.

Nonetheless, Les Eperviers are still on a dismal run of one win in four games since the turn of the year, which was a 3-0 demolition of Sierra Leone.

However, the West Africans will be confident of getting back on track when they take on an opposing side who suffered a 6-0 loss in the most recent meeting between the teams.

Looking to reach the AFCON finals for the first time since 2017, Friday's hosts set out a claim a crucial opening three points to help set the scene going forward.

Eswatini were narrowly beaten by the Zebras of Botswana on Friday in a 1-0 defeat at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg.

Thabang Sesinyi grabbed the only goal of what turned out to be a cagey contest in the 73rd minute to put Dominic Kunene's men to the sword.

Prior to that, Sihlangu Semnikati were on an impressive four-game winning run and must now pick themselves up as soon as possible.

Still awaiting their first-ever appearance on a continental level, Friday's visitors go in search of a morale-boosting triumph on matchday one.

Togo form (all competitions):

Eswatini form (all competitions):

Team News

Having found the back of the net four times in his last five outings for Togo, 27-year-old Meme Placca is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Floyd Ayite has been recalled to the national team after over a year out, and the midfielder will be looking to justify his manager's selection.

The ever-present Alaixys Romao is expected to feature once again as he continues to surge up his nation's all-time appearances chart.

Eswatini record goalscorer Felix Badenhorst remains absent with his most recent international outing coming in the COSAFA Cup last July.

In Badenhorst's absence, Sabelo Ndzinisa will be seeking to close the gap in the all-time scoring charts, where he currently sits five goals adrift.

Togo possible starting lineup:

Barcola; Djene, Bessile, Boateng, Nador; Romao, Ouro, Asamoah, Placca, Ayite; Laba

Eswatini possible starting lineup:

Sandanezwe; Dlamini, Mamba, Mkhonta, Msibi; Magagula, Matse, Thwala, Tsabedze; Ndzinisa, Dlamini

We say: Togo 1-0 Eswatini

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