WINDHOEK, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Namibia will face Russia in an international football friendly in Yekaterinburg on October 3, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) announced Tuesday.
The fixture follows an agreement between the NFA and the Russian Football Union, which also confirmed the match on Tuesday.
Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin welcomed the opportunity for the Brave Warriors to test themselves against a higher-ranked opponent, saying exposure to different footballing environments would help his players develop.
Benjamin said his players needed such matches regularly to build experience and competitiveness, "making them ready to face their peers at continental level in the CAF/Africa Cup of Nations."
Russia is ranked 35th in the latest FIFA men's world rankings, while Namibia sits 121st.
The friendly will follow Namibia's opening two matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
According to the Confederation of African Football's schedule, Namibia will face the Republic of the Congo on September 24 and Comoros on September 29 in Group G, which also includes Cameroon. ■
