Zambia vs Bafana Bafana match called off due to xenophobic attacks in South Africa

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has cancelled the international friendly match against South Africa on Saturday. 

In an interview with Metro FM/Radio 2000, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga confirmed the match was called off due to xenophobic attacks that have been going on in South Africa. 

The South African squad was scheduled to leave for Zambia on Thursday in what would have been Molefi Ntseki's first match in charge of the senior national team. 

However, this will no longer be the case, meaning the South African Football Association (Safa) will have to find new opponents in the next few hours. 

According a statement released by FAZ, the match between Zambia and Bafana has been rescheduled to the next Fifa break. 

FAZ went on to confirm that they will now be playing Namibia on September 9 in Windhoek.    

On the other, Safa has confirmed receiving communication from FAZ on their decision to cancel the international friendly. 

Safa revealed talks with one Cosafa country which they say has shown interest in playing Bafana Bafana. 

Reports suggest Madagascar is the country Safa is in talks with, but the country's FA is yet to make Bafana's next opponents public. 

"Meanwhile, since learning of the cancellation of the match on Tuesday, Safa began efforts to find a late replacement for Saturday’s match and are currently talking to one Cosafa country which has shown interest," said part of the statement released by Safa. 

This would have been the 13th meeting between Zambia and South Africa across all competitions since 2006. 

Chipolopolo won six of the 12 previous matches against Bafana Bafana, lost five while the other match ended in a draw.