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Brazil to play warm-up against Zimbabwe

Brazil's national soccer coach Dunga addresses a media conference in Johannesburg, May 27, 2010. The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)
Brazil's national soccer coach Dunga addresses a media conference in Johannesburg, May 27, 2010. The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)

HARARE - Brazil, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe on in Harare on Wednesday, the Brazilian ambassador said yesterday.

HARARE - Brazil, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe on in Harare on Wednesday, the Brazilian ambassador said yesterday.

Raul de Taunay told reporters that Zimbabwe's proximity to South Africa, which hosts the month-long finals from June 11, was the major factor in Brazil's decision.

"Zimbabwe was chosen because of its technicality and being close to Johannesburg," he said. "I want to congratulate Brazil for taking such as decision."

At nearly 1500m above sea level, Harare has a similar altitude to South Africa's highveld region, which will host a number of games, including the final at Soccer City in Johannesburg on July 11.

Walter Muzembi, Zimbabwe's tourism minister, said the game could be a major boost for tourism, which has suffered for a decade because of political and economic crises.

Zimbabwe, ranked 110th in the world, was meant to play North Korea in a pre-World Cup friendly but the game was scrapped last month after protests over North Korea's role in training an army unit accused of killing thousands of people in the 1980s. The Brazilians, coached by Dunga, arrived in South Africa yesterday morning. - Reuters

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