The Rwanda U-23 national football team friendly with South Africa U-23 side has been postponed to July 25 in Johannesburg.

The friendly match, which was expected to be preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier against Somalia next month, had been scheduled for March 25.

According to the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) spokesman Moussa Hakizimana, the game has been rescheduled following a request by the South Africa Football Association (Safa) since the South Africa U-23 side will face Iran in a friendly on March 15. Logistically, it was also deemed impossible to play again on March 25.

The Rwanda U-23 side was held to a goalless draw in a friendly match against their Tanzania and Burundian counterparts in January and December respectively.

The senior team will face Zambia on March 29 in Lusaka as preparations for the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan), which will be hosted in Rwanda from January 16-February 7.

The tie against the Chipolopolo is also preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers that commence in June, as well as the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers that start in October.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com