THE Zimbabwe Football Association, ZIFA says it will shortly conclude negotiations that will see at least two FIFA World Cup finalists basing their training camps in the country ahead of the global football showcase which is scheduled for neighbouring South Africa in June 2010.

Zimbabwe’s football authorities have been engaged in talks with a number of countries that qualified for the World Cup finals in a bid to have them set-up training camps in the country ahead of the tournament.

Officials say getting some of the finalists to set up training bases in Zimbabwe would help boost the country’s profile as a tourism destination as well as maximise benefits from the tournament.

The ZIFA Chief Executive, Henrietta Rushwaya, says negotiations with two of the targeted teams are about to be concluded adding the national association is confident of a positive outcome.

“We have been engaged in talks with two associations. The talks about to be concluded and we are very confident that we will get a positive result.

“Initial indications are that the two teams would play friendly matches that may also involve the Zimbabwe Warriors,” Rushwaya said declining, however, to name the two countries.

Nevertheless, countries that have reportedly been targeted under ZIFA’s overtures include five-time winners and tournament favourites Brazil as well as England and African giants Nigeria.

Meanwhile Rushwaya confirmed the Warriors left the country on Sunday for a tour of the Far East which will take senior national soccer team to Malaysia and Thailand where they will feature in friendly matches against the local national sides.

The Warriors were promised the trip by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) after winning the regional COSAFA tournament.

Assistant coach, Joey Antipas is in charge of the squad which features most of the COSAFA Cup winning squad.

Rushwaya said head coach, Sunday Chidzambwa, could not travel with the squad due to family commitments.