Malawi and Zimbabwe are set to meet in a Group B match of the ongoing Cosafa Cup in South Africa in a lunchtime kick-off.

The game will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay behind closed doors.

The Warriors are coming from a goalless draw against Mozambique earlier this week whereas this game is the opener for the Flames at the tournament.

Malawi coach Meck Mwase has named a very changed starting XI, handing debuts to attacker Vitumbiko Kumwenda and left-back Mark Fodya whereas Muhammad Sulumba returns upfront after a five-year absence.

Mwase is without key players such Gabadinho Mhango, Gerald Phiri and Richard Mbulu who helped the Flames reach the Cosafa Cup quarter-finals for the first time in over five years in 2019.

In the other camp, Zimbabwe coach Zdravko Logarusic is set to parade stars such as captain Ovidy Karuru, Qadr Amini and South Africa-based goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

The last meeting between the two teams was a friendly that ended goalless last year in Blantyre.

Games across all competitions between the two teams are always close affairs, evidenced by the 20 wins that Zimbabwe have had over Malawi.

The Flames have won 18 games against the Warriors with the other 18 ending in draws.

Malawi have never won the Cosafa Cup but reached the final twice whereas Zimbabwe are habitual winners of the cup.

The Flames are using the tournament to fine-tune for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals and the World Cup qualifiers.

The tournament runs up to July 18 and has pooled 10 teams divided into two groups of five each with the top two set to qualify for the semifinals.

Starting line-ups:

Malawi:  Ernest Kakhobwe, Stanley Sanudi, Chembezi Denis, Nixon Nyasulu, Mark Fodya, Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Chikoti Chirwa, Chimwemwe Idana,  Schumacher Kuwali, Muhammad Sulumba, Khuda Muyaba

Zimbabwe:  Washington Arubi, Lennox Mucheto, Qadr Amini, Macclive Phiri, Carlos Mavhurume, King Nadolo, Blessing  Sarupinda, Ovidy Karuru, Richard Hachiro, Patrick Musaka, Jimmy Dzingai