Mauritania failed to win any of their last three matches in 2023 and have carried their drought into the New Year, with just one win from nine games in all competitions.

That lone triumph came in the final match of AFCON Group D against Algeria, when Mohamed Dellahi Yali scored in the 17th minute to send Amir Abdou's men through to the knockout stages for the first time after consecutive group exits.

The Lions of the Chinguetti went on to lose to Cape Verde in the Round of 16 and have now lost three and drawn one of their four appearances since then.

More worryingly for Mauritania, they have failed to find the back of the net in each of their last five outings and seven of their nine matches in 2024, keeping just two clean sheets in the process.

Nonetheless, the hosts will be confident of their chances of securing a positive result against the visitors, who have been beaten in each of their last two meetings.

Botswana's wait for a first AFCON appearance since 2012 continued after a disappointing qualifying campaign, in which they finished nine points behind Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea.

Didier Gomes Da Rosa's men have since made a mixed start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, winning two and losing two of their four matches, before a poor showing in the COSAFA Cup saw them crash out at the group stage.

Like their upcoming opponents, the Zebras have struggled in front of goal of late, going blank in all but three of their eight games in 2024, scoring just five times in that span.

Three of those five goals came in Botswana's only win of the year against Somalia in June, and Saturday's visitors will be looking to get back on track this weekend before hosting Egypt on the second day of qualifying.

Mauritania possible starting lineup:

Niasse; Diaw, El Abd, L Ba, Houeibib; Mahmoud, Ngom; Thiam, Fofana, Koita; P Ba

Botswana possible starting lineup:

Phoko; Mangolo, Ditlhokwe, Kopelang, Velaphi; Ramotse, Mohutsiwa, Baruti; Sekwai, Sesinyi, Seakanyeng

Prediction:Mauritania 1-0 Botswana

Mauritania VS Botswana stream and TV listing

International：Holasports