Cape Verde will take on Mozambique at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in a crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage match on Friday.
Cape Verde kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over four-time champions Ghana. Jamiro Monteiro opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Ghana were disallowed after a VAR check in the 37th minute.
Alexander Djiku equalized for Ghana in the 56th minute and his performance throughout the match helped him pick up the man of the match award. His heroics were undone in stoppage time by substitute Garry Rodrigues, who scored the game-winner for the island nation.
Mozambique were held to a 2-2 draw by 2021 finalists Egypt in their campaign opener. Mostafa Mohamed gave Egypt an early lead in the second half, but the Mambas produced a remarkable second-half performance as goals from Witi and Clesio Bauque three minutes apart helped them take the lead.
Mohamed Salah, who assisted Mustafa’s second-minute goal, rescued a point for the seven-time winners from the penalty spot in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Cape Verde vs Mozambique Head-to-Head and key numbers
- The two teams have met four times so far, with all meetings taking place in the AFCON qualifiers. The Blue Sharks have the upper hand in these meetings with a 2-1 lead in wins and one meeting ending in a draw.
- Three of the four meetings between them have scored under 2.5 goals, with Mozambique failing to score twice in those games.
- The Mambas are winless in their 13 AFCON games so far, with 10 losses. Interestingly, they are yet to keep a clean sheet at the Africa Cup of Nations in 13 attempts, conceding 28 goals in those games.
Cape Verde vs Mozambique Prediction
Tubarões Azuis they recorded just their third AFCON win in the campaign opener and will look to build on that form here. They have just two wins in their last seven games, with four losses, which is a cause for concern.
They have lost just one of their 10 group stage games in the AFCON. They are also unbeaten against Mozambique since their first meeting in 2014, which bodes well for them.
Mambas put in an impressive performance against Egypt on their campaign debut and were denied three points by Salah’s last-minute equaliser. Interestingly, they are winless in the AFCON group stage so far, so they have never reached the knockout stage.
The Blue Sharks have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition in two of their previous three AFCON appearances and will look to build on that form here. They have lost just once in the group stage of the competition and, considering their better record in this game, should be able to get a narrow win.
Prophecy: Cape Verde 2-1 Mozambique
Cape Verde vs Mozambique Betting tips
Tip 1: Result – Cape Verde to win
Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5 Goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half – Yes
Tip 4: Jamiro Monteiro to score or assist anytime – Yes