Preview: Mozambique vs. Malawi - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides still awaiting their first COSAFA Cup victory clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday when Mozambique tackle Malawi.

The teams have picked up one point apiece so far, but neither of them has got up to full speed in the opening stages of the competition.

Match preview

Malawi were left kicking themselves after they surrendered a two-goal advantage in a 1-1 draw versus Zimbabwe on Friday.

Goals from Khuda Muyaba and Schumacher Kumali had put Bob Mpinganjira's men in the box seat, but they were pegged back in the final 20 minutes of the match courtesy of goals from Blessing Sarupinda and Ben Musaka.

The Flames are in fourth place in Group B as things stand, with a game in hand on three of the other five group members.

Sunday's game in Port Elizabeth is the third COSAFA Cup meeting between the outfits in the last six editions of the tournament.

A quarter-final tie in 2015 which Mozambique won on penalties preceded a group-stage contest four years later which ended all square.

Mozambique need some picking up following a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Senegal in their second Group B fixture on Friday.

Horacio Goncalves's men were level heading into the break, but they were eventually undone by a Pape Massar Djitte strike just past the hour mark.

Os Mambas were unable to add to a hard-fought point gained on Wednesday courtesy of an impressive 0-0 draw versus Zimbabwe.

Sitting bottom-but-one heading into their third outing on Sunday, they are gradually entering the last chance saloon if they are to avoid a second consecutive first-round exit.

Team News

With his opener against Zimbabwe, Khuda Muyaba opened his account for Malawi, and he will hope that it is the first of many more to come.

Like Muyaba, 25-year-old Schumacher Kuwali also netted his first senior national-team goal ever in the aforementioned game.

After seeing his side fail to find the back of the net for the second game running, Horacio Goncalves may contemplate making some changes to his attack.

Vitinho could finally get a chance to impress right from the off following consecutive cameo appearances off the bench in the past two matches.

Mozambique possible starting lineup:
Ernan; Muze, Martinho, Simbane, Cigano; Macaime, Salas, Shaquille; Telinho, Novela, Melito

Malawi possible starting lineup:
Kakhobwe; Sanudi, Nyasulu, Kawonga, Mwale; Idana, Mkwate, Selemani; Muyaba, Harrison, Davie

We say: Mozambique 1-1 Malawi

The two teams are yet to really get going but still have enough to serve up a decent contest. While a point does not necessarily do either side any favours, losing is simply not an option. On that note, we are backing a share of the spoils with goals at both ends.