Mali have confirmed a friendly against Japan scheduled for March 23.

The tuneup encounter will take place in Belgium and will mark the first meeting between the two sides at senior level.

The Malian federation normalization committee added that the match will be hosted by the city of Liege as they prepare to play South Sudan in Africa Cup of Nations qualification match in September.

Japan will be using  the match as part of their preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup where they have been drawn in Group H and will face Colombia, Senegal and Poland.

“It’s an important opportunity to figure out the team for the tournament,” Japan’s coach Vahid Halilhodzic said in a statement.

Japan, who are ranked 56th in the world, will also play a friendly with Paraguay on June 12 at an undetermined location.

Mali is in Group C of the AFCON qualifier alongside Burundi and Gabon. Burundi tops the pool while Gabon and South Sudan sits rock bottom.