Guinea-Bissau and Eswatini play each other on Thursday at the Estadio 24 de Setembro with hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The goal of the midweek match for the Sihlangu Semnikati, who are aiming for their first trip at the continental showcase, is to break their two-game losing run against the hosts and start their qualifying campaign well.

On June 10, Guinea-Bissau and Egypt faced off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and Guinea-Bissau was unable to get back to winning ways as they were tied 1-1.

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At the end of the first half at Estadio 24 de Setembro, Mama Balde of Stade Brestois broke the tie, but Mohamed Salah scored in the 70th to give Egypt a share of the points.

Following their victory over the Pharaohs, Guinea-Bissau has now won all four of their World Cup qualifying matches, amassing six of a possible twelve points to occupy second place in Group A.

On the other side, after finishing third in Group A with two points from their three games, Eswatini was eliminated from the COSAFA Cup at the group stages for the second year in a row in July.

In a crucial group stage match on July 2, Dominic Kunene’s team lost 1-0 to South Africa after playing to scoreless draws against Botswana and Mozambique in their first two games.

But on Thursday, Eswatini will have to perform at its highest level against Guinea-Bissau, a team that has won both of their prior meetings in the AFCON qualifiers, scoring six goals and giving up only one since November 2019.

Here is how both teams line up

Guinea-Bissau Starting XI

Balde, Djalo, Nanu, Encada, Noguiera, Semendo, Banjaqui, Sangante, Balde, Carlos Mane, Dju

Eswatini Starting XI

Sandanezwe, Mansangane, Silenge, Matse, Ndzinisa, Dlamini, Manana, Thwala, Figuareido, Gamedze, Matsebula