Brazil to play Tanzania in pre-World Cup friendly

Brazil are to play Tanzania on 7 June in a World Cup warm-up match ahead of this summer's finals in South Africa.

The Brazilians have become the first non-African team to schedule a friendly in Africa in the build-up to the tournament, which kicks off on 11 June.

Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) spokesman Florian Kaijage told BBC Sport that a contract would be signed within the next two to three days.

Brazil also plan to play Zimbabwe but no date as yet has been set.

Regarding Brazil's friendly against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, Kaijage said: "Brazil have already put this game in their plan, so obviously they are sure of coming, unless something unusual happens.

"On our side, we were given some conditions to meet. The federation and the government have been meeting but chances are higher that the conditions will be met for the game to go ahead," he added.

The terms include an appearance fee requested by Brazil, which Kaijage described as being "several million dollars".

Tanzania have been eager to play a part in the World Cup build-up by hosting one of the finalists, and the TFF president Leodegar Tenga stated it would be an exciting prospect for the east African country.

"It's very exciting. Finally we've succeeded in attracting Brazil, who are obviously the biggest team in the world, to play our national team," Tenga commented.

The government earlier this year appointed a committee led by a minister and with a budget of about $6m (£4.17m) for the purpose, but most teams contacted by the TFF turned them down.

North Korea had planned to play two friendlies in Zimbabwe, but that was shelved after protests over Matabeleland, where rights groups say a North Korean-trained army unit killed thousands of people during the 1980s.

Brazil are currently training in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba and are due to depart on 2 June.

Taifa Stars are currently in a training camp ready for an African Nations Championship (CHAN) final round, second leg qualifier against Rwanda, which will take place on 5 June in Kigali.