This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, Zambia's Football Association of Zambia (Faz) made the decision to cancel a friendly match against South Africa's Bafana Bafana, scheduled to take place in Lusaka.
The cancellation comes in the wake of a surge in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have seen mobs loot foreign-owned shops, torch vehicles, and target lorries driven by foreign nationals.
As a sign of protest, many Zambians had taken to social media to urge Faz to postpone the game between Chipolopolo and Bafana Bafana.
According to Faz chief Adrian Kashala, the decision was made after consultations with the South African Football Association (Safa), and the friendly has been rescheduled to an unspecified date.
Meanwhile, the Zambian government has advised lorry drivers not to travel to South Africa until security improves in the country.
Transport Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya urged Zambian drivers already in South Africa to park their vehicles in safe and secure designated places until the security improved.
African governments have issued warnings to their citizens over the violence.
