Zambia calls off home friendly over South Africa riots

Zambia's Stoppila Sunzu (R) challenges Tokelo Rantie of South Africa during the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Soccer city outside Soweto. (File, Reuters)

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has called off the country’s friendly soccer international against South Africa in Lusaka on Saturday after riots in Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria left at least five people dead.

South African police arrested more than 80 people and confirmed the five deaths as violence intensified on Tuesday, spreading to surrounding townships with roving groups attacking and looting mainly foreign-owned shops.