The Island nation moved up two places to 31st in the latest FIFA world rankings, dethroning the Ivory Coast as the top ranked side on the continent.
Cape Verde are chasing a third successive appearance at the African showpiece and do so under a new coach. Former assistant coach Felisberto Cardoso replaced Portuguese mentor Rui Aguas, who quit his post earlier this year.
The Atlas Lions also have a new man in charge: Herve Renard has been tasked with guiding the North Africans back to glory. Morocco have failed to progress past the group stages since finishing as runners-up at the 2004 event and have fallen to 81st in the world.
Renard guided Zambia and then the Ivory Coast to AFCON glory, but will have a difficult task in getting Morocco to Gabon next year with Cape Verde in good form.
Successive wins for either side will surely book their place at next year's tournament, with both the Cape Verde and Morocco beating Group F rivals São Tomé e Príncipe and Libya in their first two group games.
Djaniny, Heldon and Ryan Mendes form part of an exciting attacking trio for the Blue Sharks, while Renard will be relying on Schalke midfielder Younès Belhanda and Granada striker Youssef El-Arabi, who bagged a brace last weekend.
Kick-off at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde is scheduled for 19h00 CAT.
The reverse fixture will be played in Marrakesh on Tuesday.
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