Central African Republic and Lesotho will square off in their group opener of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at Stade El Abdu, El Jadida on Thursday.

The last time the two teams met was in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers when the two teams drew 0-0. Lesotho are in Group B along with Morocco, Central African Republic and Gabon, so they will have to start off in the best way to be able to aspire to get into the next round.

Lesotho has lost only one of their last four competitive matches, a 1-0 loss to Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers. They drew with Nigeria and Benin and beat Zimbabwe 1-0.

Central African Republic starting XI: Dominique Youfeigane, Severin Tatolna, Amos Youga, Sadock Ndobe, Hugo Gambor, Karl Namnganda, Geoffrey Kondogbia, IsaaC Solet, Ghislain Vénuste Baboula, Louis Mafouta, Goduine Koyalipou.

Lesotho starting XI: Sekhoane Moerane, Fusi Matlabe, Rethabile Rasethuntsa, Thabo Makhele, Thabang Malane, Lisema Lebokollane. Lehlohonolo Matsau, Jane Thaba-Ntso, Lehlohonolo Fothoane, Tsepang Sefali, Sera Motebang.