The president of Zanzibar Football Federation, Suleyman Cabir, suggested that a neutral meeting point for international play could be found in 2024 if circumstances align, including the possibility of a friendly match with Russia. His comments were reported by Sports24, highlighting a potential shift in regional football diplomacy.
Cabir indicated that cooperation between Zanzibar, the broader Tanzania football setup, and the Russian national team could still be on the table at a future date. He noted that ideas about facing Russia or hosting Russia on home soil had already surfaced during a sports forum held in Moscow on 16 November. While these discussions did not amount to formal arrangements between the two federations, they established a channel for dialogue and potential collaboration as teams chart paths for competitive play in the coming year.
At the same time, Cabir stressed a preference for more regional competition in the near term. He explained that while international exhibitions remain valuable, there is growing interest in seeing Zanzibar’s teams and clubs compete more regularly among themselves and against nearby opponents. This emphasis on regional play reflects a broader trend within the sport, where federations weigh the benefits of friendlies against the value of strengthening local leagues and youth development pipelines. In Cabir’s view, a balanced schedule could support both national teams and domestic clubs as they build experience, form cohesion, and advance player development across the footballing community.
Meanwhile, results from the international arena continued to shape the narrative around Russian football. On November 20, the Russian senior team delivered a commanding performance in a friendly, defeating Cuba by eight goals. The scorers included Oblyakov, Golovin, Miranchuk, Silyanov, Sobolev, Prutsev, Krivtsov, and Mostovoy. A late penalty moment for Cuba, converted unsuccessfully by Pinyaev, added a brief twist to the scoreline in the 85th minute. The result underscored Russia’s ongoing activity in matches outside formal UEFA or FIFA competition, a status that has persisted through periods of suspension and reevaluation by the international football community.
Looking back to the broader history, the suspension of the Russian national team and its clubs from FIFA- and UEFA-governed events has been a defining backdrop in recent seasons. That decision, rendered in the spring of 2022, paused Russia’s participation in many major tournaments managed by those bodies. Since then, Russia has had opportunities to engage in friendlies and alternative matchups outside the prohibited frameworks, continuing to participate in the world of international football while negotiations and strategic planning with partner nations evolve. This context shapes the options discussed at forums like the Moscow event, where federations weigh the potential benefits of direct competition against the ongoing complexities of international governance and eligibility rules. It is within this environment that Zanzibar and its collaborators assess the value of international exchange, the development of players, and the health of domestic leagues as metrics of long-term success.
In conversations led by coaches and federation officials, questions often arise about the value of facing teams at Cuban levels or other regional programs. The prior dialogue with Gadzhiev on whether it is worthwhile to schedule matches against opponents of that caliber illustrates the kind of practical considerations that accompany any decision. It is not merely about prestige or exposure; it is about the measurable gains in skill, tactical understanding, and competitive temperament that players bring back to their clubs and national squads. The discussions emphasize a pragmatic approach: pursue opportunities that strengthen the sport across the federation, while also preserving the integrity and development pipeline of the island’s football ecosystem. As the calendar moves forward, the governing bodies of Zanzibar, Tanzania, and potential international partners will continue to explore how best to balance friendlies, qualifiers, and domestic competition to support sustained growth for players at every level.