adminWhile not revealing the identity of the country, Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed the request and said the match will be played in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
“Yes, we have been requested and two tentative dates have been set, 12 and 16 January. At the moment I cannot reveal the identity of the team as we are still to sort out a few logistics like accommodation and transportation for the team,” said Mashingaidze.
Speculation is however that it could be the Didier Drogba led Cote d’Ivore who will be setting base in South Africa ahead of the start of the 2013 edition of the African Nations Cup finals.
Mashingaidze said their previous target, Ghana were still to respond to the request to pass through Zimbabwe for a friendly en-route to South Africa.
“We have since advised the board on the latest developments about Ghana and the impending friendly match in South Africa. The coach Dieter Klaus-Pagels is also aware and will be here in time for the match,” said Mashingaidze.
Pagels flew out of the country to his native Germany with Zifa saying he was on his annual leave, quashing rumours that he was deported because his immigration papers were not in order.
The match will come exactly two months before Pagels and his crew engage fading African giants Egypt in the 2014 World Cup campaign where a loss to the North Africans will all but end any dreams of qualifying for the world soccer extravaganza in Brazil.
The first leg will be in Cairo with the second at home two weeks later.
Pagels, his assistants, Peter Ndlovu and Lloyd Mutasa remain confident though that qualification is still possible.
The Egyptians have won just once in their last seven matches.
Online Reporter