Verdict: South Africa win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to get their first Group Ok victory on the board, South Africa will welcome Liberia to Johannesburg on Friday afternoon.
South Africa
Starting with the hosts, opening their AFCON qualification journey with a second-half collapse final yr, South Africa will likely be seeking to get their first Group Ok victory on the board right here. Eventually slumping to a heartbreaking late 2-1 loss by the hands of African heavyweights Morocco, Hugo Broos’ males ought to be excited by the way in which that they signed off 2022. On a run that’s highlighted by a thumping 4-0 romp towards Sierra Leone again on September twenty fourth, the one-time Cameroon boss finds his facet within the midst of a four-match unbeaten run. Rightfully smelling the prospect to make a qualifying assertion in Johannesburg, South Africa have continued to shine on house soil over current instances. Including a energetic 2-1 win towards Mozambique 4 months in the past, Broos’ males have suffered only a single defeat in entrance of their very own supporters inside 90 minutes since approach again in October 2020.
Team News
Making the transfer to Championship high-flyers Burnley through the January switch window, 22-year-old Lyle Foster will likely be hoping to play some half on Friday afternoon. However, Zakhele Lepasa ought to spearhead South Africa’s assault right here.
The duo of Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula and Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng have been included in Broos’ 23-man squad this month.
Liberia
As for the guests, whereas Liberia may need claimed a well-known second-leg victory away at African icons Senegal final yr, it seems that was only a minor enhance for Ansumana Keita’s downbeat squad. Signing off 2022 with a nightmare show as they had been hit with a routine 3-0 drumming by the hands of Egypt, the Lone Stars know that they face an enormous uphill battle in the event that they’re to discover a route out Group Ok. Getting their qualifying marketing campaign off to a sluggish begin again in June as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at house towards Morocco, Friday’s friends have claimed only a single victory from their final eight appearances throughout all codecs. With their prolonged blip underlined by a 4-0 loss towards Benin final yr, Liberia have additionally gained a repute for his or her points within the remaining third. It ought to be famous, Keita’s males have drawn a clean in 4 of their earlier 5 showdowns on international soil.
Team News
Just one strike away from turning into Liberia’s all-time main goalscorer, 31-year-old William Jebor will spearhead Keita’s assault in Johannesburg.
Accrington Stanley midfielder Mo Sangare has additionally been included in Keita’s 22-man squad. The Czech-based duo of Samson Dweh and Oscar Dorley have additionally been rewarded with a call-up.
Key Factors to Consider
- Including a 4-0 romp towards Sierra Leone final yr, South Africa are unbeaten in every of their final 4 appearances throughout all competitions.
- Likewise, Friday’s hosts have suffered only a single defeat in entrance of their very own supporters inside 90 minutes since approach again in October 2020.
- On a run that stems again to November 2021, Liberia have received simply one in every of their final eight appearances throughout all codecs.
- The Lone Stars have additionally drawn a clean in 4 of their earlier 5 matchups on international soil.
- Both South Africa and Liberia opened their Group Ok marketing campaign with respective defeats towards Morocco.
Conclusion
Left heartbroken out in Morocco final yr as they ultimately slumped to a late 2-1 defeat, South Africa will know the significance of opening their Group Ok marketing campaign on Friday afternoon. Signing off 2022 within the midst of a four-match unbeaten run, Bafana Bafana are rightfully tipped as a standout decide right here. Continuing to shine in Johannesburg, Liberia ought to be bracing themselves for a stern take a look at right here. Last seen getting hit with a 3-0 drumming by the hands of Egypt, Keita’s downbeat squad have come crashing again all the way down to earth since their well-known show out in Senegal final yr. Drawing a clean in 4 of their final 5 appearances on international soil, we’re backing a house victory for South Africa this weekend.
Verdict: South Africa win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
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