Botswana will look for a win away to Comoros at the Said Mohamed Cheikh Stadium in Mitsamiouli in Group D of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The match will kick off at 14h00 CAT on Thursday 24 March.

The Zebras find themselves placed second on the group standings on three points, having lost their opening qualifier away to leaders Uganda in June 2015 before overcoming Burkina Faso in September.

With the Cranes and the Stallions set to take points off one another in their double-header meetings, Botswana will hope to capitalise with successive wins over the island minnows.

However, coach Peter Butler’s side will need to ensure that they don’t underestimate Comoros. ‘Les Coelecantes’ proved last year that they are no pushovers after holding Ghana to a goalless draw in Mitsamiouli in the second round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The Black Stars went on to win the tie 2-0 on aggregate, but the stalemate in the first leg was a landmark result for Comoros – and a sign that they will not be easy prey, particularly on home soil.

This will be just the second official meeting of Botswana and Comoros according to FIFA’s statistics, with the teams’ only previous encounter a goalless draw in a friendly in Bulawayo in October 2009.

Malawian referee Duncan Langani will take charge of the match in Mitsamiouli, with the return game set for March 27 in Francistown.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com