Comoros will go in search of a second win on the bounce in their opening World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic at Stade de Moroni on Friday.

Meanwhile, the away side make the trip aiming to snap a two-game losing streak and pick up a first victory across all competitions since March.

Match preview

Comoros claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in the teams' friendly encounter at Stade Parsemain on October 17.

Younes Zerdouk's men made a poor start to the game and were behind in the third minute to Kenny Santos's opener before second-half goals from El Amine Younes and Adel Mahamoud turned the game around.

That was a first win in four matches for the Coelacanths since they saw off the threat of Seychelles in their COSAFA Cup curtain-raiser in July.

Coming up next is a first-ever meeting against an opposing outfit who are just one place above in the latest FIFA rankings of all national teams.

With the hosts currently winless in four straight home matches, Friday's contest is as good a time as any for them to get back to winning ways.

Central African Republic drew the curtain on their AFCON qualifying journey with a 2-1 defeat against Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium on September 7.

Raoul Savoy's men took the lead just shy of the half-hour mark through Louis Mafouta but were pegged back by Mohammed Kudus, after which Ernest Nuamah grabbed a late winner.

After kicking off the year with wins over Madagascar, the Wild Beasts have now been beaten in their subsequent two outings and are in need of a pick-me-up.

Currently on a run of six defeats from seven matches on the road, Friday's visitors have been largely underwhelming away from home of late.

Team News

Louis Mafouta's opener for CAR against Ghana last time out was his 11th international strike, which saw him move to the top of the all-time scoring chart.

Midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia missed the aforementioned match through a thigh problem but has now returned to the fold for the visitors.

Youssouf M'Changama is set to extend his record of 57 caps for Comoros, having been named in the East Africans' 26-man squad for their qualifying matches.

Adel Mahamoud opened his account for the hosts at the third time of asking against Cape Verde, and the 20-year-old will be looking to pick up where he left off.

Comoros possible starting lineup:
Boina; Said, Youssouf, Medard, Zahary; Ahmed, Daqu, Hadji, M'Changama; Selemani, Mahamoud

Central African Republic possible starting lineup:
Lembet; Ndobe, Yangao, Niamathe, Guinari; Youga, Kondogbia, Pirioua; Mafouta, Namnganda, Manzoki

We say: Comoros 1-0 Central African Republic

Given the nature of the occasion for both teams, we are expecting a nervy and cagey affair with little goalmouth action at either end. That said, we can see the home side just about managing to see off the threat of their visitors en route to a narrow win.


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