Zimbabwe will host the North Korean football team ahead of the 2010 World Cup that kicks off in South Sfrica on June 11 - July 11, says Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi.
The North Koreans are due in Zimbabwe at the end of May, Mzembi tells Voice Of America's Studio7 reporter, Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye, adding that his Ministry is still courting other teams including Brazil, which has sent a coach to inspect accommodations and venues.
Mzembi adds his country's stadias are ready to host the North Koreans and any other teams as the National Sports Stadium which was closed for renovations in 2007 was opened last week.
Local teams like Dynamos have already booked the ground as their team's homebase and the Chinese Under 19 football team arrived in the country Tuesday to play a friendly match to mark the official re-opening of the refurnished National Sports Stadium.
The Chinese are using the trip as part of the preparations for the 2010 Asian Football Confederation U-19 Championships which will be hosted by China form October 3-17 this year.