Libya and Botswana will be taking their first game in Group J of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they go head to head at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Wednesday.
The two nations will be aiming to get off to a strong start as they eye a return to the continental showpiece since last appearance in 2012 when they were both eliminated in the group stages.
Libya were denied a third win in a row in their most recent game on March 29 when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mauritania.
In the contest at the Stade de la Capitale, former Fulham forward Aboubakar Kamara scored from the penalty spot in the 39th minute before Hemeya Tanjy sealed the result 13 minutes into the second half.
Prior to that, Corentin Martins’ side ended a five-game winless streak when they saw off Kuwait 2-0 at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on February 1 before returning home to fight out a 2-1 win over Niger on March 26.
Libya will now seek to return to winning ways and kick off their chase for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations on a good note having failed to make an appearance in the continental tournament since 2012.
Botswana will also be looking to make corrections on their disappointing run in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and snap their 10-year absence from the biannual competition.
Adel Amrouche’s side finished rock bottom in the qualification group stages after claiming just one win, one draw and losing four of their six matches to pick up four points from a possible 16.
Botswana head into Wednesday’s contest off the back of yet another disappointing campaign in the COSAFA Cup last July, when they eliminated in the group stages.
Libya vs Botswana head to head
The two teams have previously met on only one occasion in a friendly game in 2007, where they played out a 0-0 draw. They now meet for the first time in a competitive game in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications.
Botswana 0-0 Libya 27/05/07
Libya latest home form
Libya have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Angola in their last home game in the World Cup Qualifiers. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded seven.
Libya 0-1 Liberia 14/06/21
Libya 0-1 Sudan 19/06/21
Libya 2-1 Gabon 01/09/21
Libya 0-3 Egypt 11/10/21
Libya 1-1 Angola 16/11/21
Libya latest away form
Libya have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Mauritania in their last away game in a friendly game. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded six.
Gabon 1-0 Libya 12/11/21
Kuwait 2-0 Libya 29/01/22
Kuwait 0-2 Libya 01/02/22
Niger 1-2 Libya 26/03/22
Mauritania 2-0 Libya 29/03/22
Botswana latest home form
Botswana have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat Lesotho 4-0 in their last home game in the COSAFA Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded two.
Botswana 0-0 Liberia 30/09/19
Botswana 0-1 Algeria 18/11/19
Botswana 1-0 Zambia 16/11/20
Botswana 0-1 Zimbabwe 25/03/21
Botswana 4-0 Lesotho 10/07/21
Botswana latest away form
Botswana have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having failed to win in any of their nine most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Eswatini in their last away game in the COSAFA Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded 11.
Zambia 2-1 Botswana 12/11/20
Algeria 5-0 Botswana 29/03/21
South Africa 1-0 Botswana 06/07/21
Zambia 2-1 Botswana 13/07/21
Eswatini 1-1 Botswana 14/07/21
Libya news
Following Javier Clemente’s depature, Corentin Martins, who was recently with Mauritania, signed a one-year deal with the aim of returning Libya to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Martins has named an experienced squad comprising majorly of domestic payers, including Al-Ahly Benghazi goalkeeper Murad Al Wuheeshi and Arabi forward Alsanousi Ammar.
Botswana news
23 players have been called up to the Botswana camp ahead of the qualifiers, with a large portion of the squad being based in the domestic league.
Gaborone United have eight players in the squad, including goalkeeper Goitseone Phokoe, defensive trio of Mothusi Johnson, Alford Velaphi and Thato Kebue, alongside forward Thero Setsile.
Prediction and Odds
Botswana have not taken to the pitch for ten months, and they take on a Libya side who are unbeaten in three of their last four matches on home soil.
However, both teams head into the contest evenly matched on record and we predict for a share of the spoils in this one.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 1.89 2 2.32
Probable outcomes
Libya 0-0 Botswana
Libya 1-1 Botswana
Libya 1-0 Botswana
Libya 2-1 Botswana
Libya 3-1 Botswana
