The Argentine Football Association (AFA) have confirmed international friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia on March 27 and 31, respectively, to be played at La Bombonera Stadium in Argentina.
The World Champions were scheduled to play UEFA European Championship holders Spain in Qatar, but their matchup was cancelled owing to conflict in the Middle East and eventual failure to agree on an alternative venue.
Argentina began to look elsewhere for opponents to face during the March international friendlies. They first sought Guatemala, but FIFA could not approve the match due to a clash of fixtures. La Albiceleste ultimately settled for the North African side Mauritania and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, Zambia.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni unveiled a strong 28-member provisional squad on Thursday for the Guatemala encounter, with some notable inclusions being Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Emi Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolas Paz, and Rodrigo de Paul.
The Copper Bullets will be facing Argentina for the first time in their history. However, Zambia did take on La Albiceleste’s fierce rivals, Brazil, in 2013 during an international friendly in Beijing, which A Seleção won 2-0 with goals from Oscar and Dedé.
Lwandamina’s first task
The Chipolopolo Boys were scheduled to participate in a regional Four Nations Tournament with hosts Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi from 28 to 31 March. Interim coach George Lwandamina released his 38-member provisional squad for that tournament earlier this month.
Leicester City striker Patson Daka, in-form Saudi-based attacker Fashion Sakala Jr and Italian-domiciled duo Lameck Banda and Joseph Liteta headlined the selection.
While Argentina ranks second in the FIFA Coca-Cola World Men’s Rankings, Zambia occupies the 91st position as per the latest update.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has also confirmed the development, saying, “We have received an invitation to play Argentina, and it is an opportunity we simply cannot pass up.”
The association’s acting secretary general, Iva Lengwe, added that, “When the world champions come calling, you answer. It is a clear sign of the respect Zambia has continued to earn on the global stage. However, since this fixture falls at the same time as the Four Nations Tournament, we have decided to send our local assemblage to Francistown.”
Lwandamina will lead the senior team in Argentina, while Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa will be in charge of the youth team at the four-nation tournament, which is set to kick off from March 28 to 31 in Botswana.
READ ALSO: FIFA Announces New Rule Requiring Female Head or Assistant Coach in all Women’s Teams
