Mauritius U23 vs Zimbabwe U23 - CAF U23 Cup of Nations

The history between Mauritius U23 and Zimbabwe U23 lends this CAF U23 Cup of Nations fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on October 6, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. The sheer joy on the 18-year-old defender’s face resonated with Paul Schaffran back at the academy.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Mauritius U23 and Zimbabwe U23 cross paths in the CAF U23 Cup of Nations, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Larson’s long-term plans have attracted renewed attention following teammate Alex Bowman’s recent announcement that he intends to retire from full-time Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Mauritius U23 may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Zimbabwe U23 have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United 'are not proceeding' with a move for the Brighton midfielder.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. Whoever wins the individual duel between the two sides' chief playmakers is likely to dictate the rhythm and, ultimately, the destination of the points. More than that, he is the club's top scorer in a single European campaign.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.