African teams schedule friendlies with isolated Russia

Russia has been banned from competitive football due to its invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the country has been playing friendly matches mainly against sympathetic nations. Recently, African teams have also started to accept invitations to play against Russia. In the past year, Russia played teams like Syria, Belarus, and Serbia, and has won seven games in a row. The first African team to play them was Egypt's under-23 squad in September 2023. Other African nations, like Cameroon and Kenya, followed suit. This trend continues with Zambia scheduled to play Russia on March 25. Zambia's football association explained that the friendly match was a chance to keep their team active. They had no other fixtures available due to canceled matches from other teams. Zambia has historical ties to Russia dating back to its independence in 1964, which contributes to their willingness to engage. While some African countries show support, teams like Nigeria have been quieter about their upcoming match against Russia. Experts suggest that these decisions to play are not a political stance. Instead, they reflect the desire for sporting connections that avoid conflict and political issues. Russia's influence in Africa has grown in recent years. Many African nations have friendly ties with Russia from the Cold War era when the Soviet Union supported independence movements. This historical relationship may explain the willingness of some African countries to maintain sporting connections with Russia, even amid the ongoing conflict. Despite these matches, logistical issues mean that no Zambian fans will travel to Russia for the game. While these friendly matches may not mean much in the sports community, they could signal a desire to break Russia's international isolation.