Mauritius vs. Zimbabwe: COSAFA Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Toyota Stadium will play host to Wednesday's Group A opener between Mauritius and Zimbabwe in the 24th COSAFA Cup. The Warriors are returning as long-time competitors with a rich history in the event, while Les Dodos are aiming for a solid start in their bid to reach the knockout stage for just the third time in history.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Mauritius is making a triumphant comeback to the COSAFA Cup after missing out on the last tournament. The 14-nation competition is divided into two four-team groups, with Les Dodos currently ranked 178th in the world. Mauritius will face Zimbabwe in their curtain-raiser, as they have never won against Zimbabwe in any of their six encounters.

Their recent record is not good, with only two draws and a single goal in their last match with Eswatini. Zimbabwe's qualification campaign has been disappointing, with only four points in six games.

The COSAFA Cup presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for redemption and a return to familiar territory for one of the most decorated teams on the continent.

Zimbabwe has won the tournament six times, but its loss to Kenya in the semifinals last year ended its chances of advancing. Under-20 coach Simon Marange will lead a younger squad in Bloemfontein, while head coach Michael Nees will guide the senior team in a friendly against Burkina Faso and Niger in Morocco.

Mauritius vs. Zimbabwe Team News

One of the most promising prospects on the 23-man Mauritius roster is Gabriel Caliste, a player from the West Ham United Academy, who has earned his third senior call-up. The squad consists of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, nine midfielders, and four attackers.

The probable starting custodian is Kevin Jean-Louis, while the central defensive pairing is Lindsay Rose and Wilson Mootoo.

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe's interim coach, Marange, unveiled his team, which features a mix of young energy and seasoned combatants from around the world.

Included in the foreign contingent is Menzi Mazwi, a former Wales Under-19 international who is currently playing for Birmingham City. Other UK-based talents include Tanaka Cherera of Bury FC, Kennedy Mupomba of Chelmsford FC, and Kurainashe Musanhi of Crystal Palace. All three of these players participated in last year's COSAFA Under-20 Championship.

Members of the home team include veteran goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, and Andrew Mbeba, a center-back for the Highlanders, has been given the armband following his invaluable experience in Zimbabwe's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Our predictions

Zimbabwe to win @ 2.24 on Sky247.ng

This match is on the brink of disaster, as both teams are seeking a breakthrough after disappointing World Cup qualification campaigns. However, Zimbabwe has the better record in head-to-head matches and a strong competition history, so they should be able to sneak out to a narrow victory in the group opener.

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