THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has said it is hoping that the ongoing political riots will not affect the Chipolopolo Boys' African Cup of Nations Group 11 qualifier against South Africa.

In an interview yesterday, FAZ president Teddy Mulonga said FAZ was hoping that the riots that have sparked off in some parts of Lusaka would subside by Sunday when the Chipolopolo Boys face the Bafana Bafana at Lusaka's Independence Stadium. Mulonga also said he was hoping that the riots would not derail the Zambia Under-23's Olympics qualifier against Djibouti also slated for Lusaka on Saturday.

"We will continuously assess the situation and we only hope that the situation will normalise soon," he said.

From back page Mulonga said it would be good for the senior national team and the Under-23 side to play against South Africa and Djibouti respectively because football was a unifying factor. "Football is a means of peace, so we hope that we play the matches this weekend," he said.

Yesterday sympathisers of the Patriotic Front engaged in running battles with Zambia Police Service officers in Lusaka's Chipata and Matero townships.

On Sunday, the PF sympathisers also fought battles with police at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre and Garden compound where the rioters blocked the roads with stones. The rioters shattered windscreens of various motor vehicles, including those belonging to the Red Cross.

They also stoned a police post in Chipata and Shoprite Checkers in Matero.

World soccer governing body, FIFA and the Confederation of African Unity (CAF) monitor political situations in all countries, especially when the situation turns volatile.

The two soccer governing bodies usually postpone matches in place that are considered 'unsafe' for visiting teams. But Mulonga said he was confident that the situation will stabilise during the week so that the two matches (against South Africa and Djibouti) go ahead as scheduled.

The senior national team will play Bafana Bafana on Sunday, a day after the Under-23 plays Djibouti.

Recently, CAF ordered that Djibouti should play all their qualifiers away from home because of unstable political situations. Following that order, Djibouti withdrew from the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, saying playing all the matches away from home was expensive for Djibouti.

But Djibouti opted to continue participating in the 2008 Olympics qualifiers and this weekend's match against the Peter Kaumba tutored side in Lusaka is a one-leg fixture. The Chipolopolo Boys are leading Group 11 with three points while South Africa and Congo Brazzaville have a point each. Chad are tail enders with no point.