Ambassador to Zambia Azim Yarakhmedov says the proposed international friendly match between Zambia and Russia will help celebrate the 60 years of friendship and strengthen bilateral relations.

Early this year, Yarakhmedov conferred with FAZ president Andrew Kamanga on a wide range of football matters where he proposed a friendly match to celebrate the 60 years of friendship.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga Wednesday morning, Yarakhmedov said Zambia had continued to improve significantly in football. “Let me start by appreciating what you are doing as FAZ. The women’s national team has continued to make headlines, together with the Chipolopolo. The reason for our coming here is the earlier proposal of having Zambia and Russia play an international friendly to celebrate 60 years of friendship. Zambia attained its independence on October 24, 1964, and six days later, a Russian delegation was in Zambia to establish diplomatic ties. On October 30, 2024, we will be celebrating 60 years of friendship,” Yarakhmedov said.

“We want to formalize it and are here to ask which formal dates are suitable for the game. We are looking for a broader collaboration between the Zambian government and ourselves. As Zambia celebrates its independence, we are planning to organize a musical concert, where we will be bringing artists from Russia to perform at East Park alongside Zambian artists. The proceeds will go to a charity organization of choice,” Kamanga said FAZ would engage the Russian Football Union and decide on convenient dates that will coincide with the FIFA Window.

“We are happy with your visit and your Excellency, and we shall put it in writing and deliver our response before the close of this week. The friendly is settled, and what remains is just checking on the dates that will be good. This friendly will help celebrate the 60 years of friendship. We have made progress in arranging the friendly between the Russian Football Federation and ourselves,” Kamanga said.

“We are looking at some dates in September and October, closer to our Independence Day, which falls on October 24. What remains is to align the dates with the FIFA window so that both teams can feature strong sides.

“So, we are looking at dates September 2-10 or October 7-15. Otherwise, I can say here that nothing is stopping the friendly. We will confirm it in writing. It’s just the choice of the dates.”