World Cup Countdown: Brazil arrange Tanzania friendly

15 days to go

(GETTY IMAGES)

Brazil have arranged a friendly against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on 7 June as the final part of their World Cup preparation. The match provides a platform for Kaka to prove he is fit. The Real Madrid midfielder has struggled with a groin injury recently and has been absent since missing Madrid's final match of the season.

The Cameroon defender Gaetan Bong and forward Eric Choupo-Moting were not fielded in the goalless draw against Georgia on Tuesday because Fifa has not yet given permission for them to switch nationality. Both are of Cameroonian descent and have dual nationality.

The Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner will be rested for tonight's match against Senegal in Aalborg after picking up a groin injury in training this week. The Celtic forward Morten Rasmussen has been called-up to replace him. The Danish coach, Morten Olsen, insisted the decision was a precaution to protect the Arsenal player from aggravating the injury. "We don't want to take any chances," Olsen said.

In other friendlies tonight, Belarus face Honduras in Austria, while Chile play Zambia in Santiago. The hosts South Africa continue their build-up against Colombia in the 94,000-seater Soccer City stadium, Johannesburg, the venue for the final on 11 July. It is expected Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar will feature for the Bafana Bafana.

Highlights of the day

Quote of the day

"We are going to play a justifier." Ghana's Stephen Appiah creates a new name for a warm-up match

Strange injury of the day

"Thomas Müller slipped and slightly scraped his knee. He also required some stitches on his chin." German spokesman Harald Stenger explains the extent of Müller's injuries after crashing his mountain bike during a team-bonding exercise in Italy, while avoiding saying 'he's pulled a Gallas'