Brazil planning Mandela tribute

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF) has revealed plans for a homage to South Africa's ailing former president Nelson Mandela.

The announcement on Saturday came as the CBF confirmed friendlies against South Africa and South Korea later this year.

"We have already agreed to play South Korea and then South Africa, possibly in October, to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela," CBF president Jose Maria Marin said.

Mandela, 95, has spent the past two months in a Pretoria hospital, where he is battling a recurring lung infection.

Meanwhile Marin ruled out a Brazil-Argentina fixture before next year's World Cup, just a day after the CBF canceled the Superclassic of the Americas tournament between the rivals later this year.

"There are other friendlies that we are looking at but one thing is certain - we will not be playing against Argentina," he said.

"We don't see it as opportune and have informed the Argentine football association. We want to play against other opponents before the World Cup."

Brazil will face Switzerland in Basel on Wednesday followed by friendlies against Australia on September 7 and Portugal three days later.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team are currently ranked ninth in the FIFA world rankings, having fallen to a historic low of 22 before winning the Confederations Cup in June.