Madagascar and Malawi kick off their COSAFA Cup campaigns when they lock horns at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday.

Madagascar will aim to make a strong impression in a tournament where they did not feature in the last edition two years ago, while Malawi will look to better their quarter-final exit in 2019.

Match preview

After reaching the last eight of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Madagascar will not be taking part in next year's event.

Eric Rabesandratana's men finished third in Group K during the qualification stages, as they failed to win any of their final four qualifiers.

The most recent of those games was a 0-0 home stalemate versus Niger on March 21 which ultimately sealed the Barea's fate.

Their attention now shifts to the COSAFA Cup which begins on Tuesday and Madagascar will be making their 9th showing at the competition finals.

The East Africans came closest to going all the way in 2008, 2015 and 2018, falling at the semi-final hurdle on all three occasions.

Unlike Madagascar, Malawi have booked their place at the next Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 victory over Uganda on March 29.

Meke Mwase's men were defeated 2-1 by Tanzania in a friendly three weeks ago as they rounded up preparations for the tournament in South Africa.

Next up for The Flames is a crunch clash against a side who they have failed to beat in any of the previous two meetings between the teams.

However, Malawi have come closer to winning the title than their opponents, having finished as runners-up in 2002 and 2003.

Team News

The Malawi camp has been hit by a wave of COVID-19, as up to nine players and head coach Meke Mwase have had to go into isolation.

Brighton Munthali, Yamikani Chester, Chikondi Kamanga, Stain Dave, and Gomezgani Chirwa are yet to join the rest of the squad after testing positive and are ruled out of Wednesday's game.

Also currently unavailable are Peter Cholopi, Antony Mfune, Gaddie Chirwa and Paul Ndlobvu, although none of the players involved has exhibited symptoms of the virus yet.

With 25 national team goals between them, Carolus Andria and Paulin Voavy are expected to lead the line for Madagascar.

In the absence of Nicolas Dupuis, who continues to serve a suspension, Eric Rabesandratana will continue to act as head coach.

Madagascar possible starting lineup:
Adrien; Randrianarisoa, Razafindraibeharimihanta, Metanire; Mombris, Amada, Zout, Raveloson, Andriatsima; Andria, Voavy

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

We say: Madagascar 2-1 Malawi

Both sides will want to begin their respective campaigns on a good note, so there is no further motivation needed by either team. We are backing Madagascar to claim a narrow win and maintain their unblemished record against their opponents.