Zambia vs Botswana Preview & Tips - Zambia can get first win in COSAFA Cup

Zambia have surprisingly struggled thus far given the strength of their squad. They are backed to get off the mark with a comfortable victory against Botswana.

Zambia hold a 7-3 advantage against Botswana across 14 previous meetings with four draws.

The sides last met in AFCON qualifying in November 2020 as Botswana won 1-0 at home with Moshe Gaolaolwe on target.

Zambia failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but finished qualifying with a 2-0 win in Zimbabwe.

Chipolopolo played three friendlies prior to the COSAFA Cup. They lost 3-1 to Senegal, drew 2-2 against Benin and beat Sudan 1-0. 

Zambia began their COSAFA Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Lesotho before losing 1-0 to Eswatini in their last match.

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene, Gregory Sanjase, Lameck Siame

Defenders: Roderick Kabwe, Isaac Shamujompa, Roderick Kembo, Simon Silwimba, Adrian Chama, Dominic Chanda, Kabaso Chongo, Prosper Chiluya, Benedict Chepeshi, Zachariah Chilongoshi

Midfielders: Spencer Sautu, Benson Sakala, Felix Bulaya, Paul Katema, Salulani Phiri, Collins Sikombe, Prince Mumba, Augustine Mulenga, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Jimmy Mukeya

Strikers: Moses Phiri, Rodger Kola, Gamphani Lungu, Brian Mwila, Justin Shonga, Friday Samu

Coach Milutin Sredojevic rotated his side against Eswatini with striker Justin Shonga given 30 minutes as a substitute. He will return to start this match.

Winger Ghampani Lungu will also return to the XI with AmaZulu’s Augustine Mulenga on the opposite flank.

Botswana were on a ten match winless run but have won two of their last five matches. They failed to qualify for the 2021 AFCON after finishing bottom of their group with four defeats.

A 1-0 win against Zambia in AFCON qualifying was followed by a 1-0 defeat to Zimbabwe and a 5-0 drubbing in Algeria to complete the group. Botswana lost their first COSAFA Cup match 1-0 to South Africa.

In their last match, Botswana thrashed Lesotho 4-0 as Tumisang Orebonye netted a hat-trick and Thatayaone Kgamanyane got the other.

Goalkeepers: Ezekiel Morake, Lesenya Malepela, Keeagile Kgosipula

Defenders: Goitseone Legopelo, Thabo Leinanyane, Mothusi Johnson, Kitso Mangolo, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Thato Kebue, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Fortunate Thulare

Midfielders: Mothusi Cooper, Godiraone Modingwane, Gape Gagoangwe, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Gape Mohutsiwa, Segolame Boy, Thatayaone Kgamanyane

Forwards: Mpho Kgomo, Tshepo Malgas, Thero Setsile, Kago Monyake, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Elias Mbatshi, Tumisang Orebonye, Godfrey Tauyatswala

Botswana caretaker coach Letang Kgengwenyane is set to recall captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe after a knock ruled him out against Lesotho.

Tumisang Orebonye came into the side for the last match and scored a hattrick. He will keep his place up front with Thatayaone Kgamanyane moving deeper as a number ten.

The odds for this match have yet to be released.