Russian Ambassador Azim Yarakhmedov has proposed an international friendly match between Russia and the Chipolopolo as a means of celebrating Russia's 60-year friendship with Zambia. Ambassador Yarakhmedov said this during a meeting aimed at exploring extensive football-related matters with FAZ president Andrew Kamanga at Football House this morning. “We are proposing an international friendly match between Zambia and Russia but also wider collaboration between the two countries.” he said. He praised the Chipolopolo for their qualification in the Africa Cup of Nations, encouraging their continued hard work and pledged to spearhead a Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Football Union and FAZ. The Russian envoy went beyond football and offered two fully sponsored scholarships for Zambian students interested in physical education and administration. Meanwhile, FAZ President Andrew Kamanga welcomed the friendly match and collaboration and emphasized the importance of broader cooperation with the Russian government. “The friendly game would be a perfect occasion to mark the 60 years relations between Zambia and Russia. On our part, beyond the friendly match, we are looking for broader collaboration between the Russian government and ourselves. We will put through a proposal for collaboration on training, infrastructure, and exchange programs,” he stated. Kamanga urged for a swift implementation of the MoU and the finalizing these plans when a delegation from Moscow visits. He expressed gratitude for the scholarship offer and pledged to nominate two candidates, with aspirations to expand the pool of beneficiaries in the future.