A friendly international between Kenya and Sudan has been called off following a row over the venue and timing of the match, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials said.

The match, which was originally to be played in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, was later switched to El Fasher in the volatile northwestern region of Darfur and was pushed back a day to Thursday after the late arrival of the Kenya team on Tuesday night.

FKF officials said they were not aware of the change of venue and could not risk the safety of the players travelling to play in the conflict-hit Darfur region, so they ordered the team to return home on Thursday.

"FKF will not allow our players to be subjected to situations where their security will be at risk. We have a responsibility... hence our decision to instruct the team to return home without kicking a ball in Sudan," FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya said in a statement.

Kenya beat Sudan 2-0 in the final of the CECAFA Senior Challenge in Nairobi last December.

Kenya had called up four foreign-based players for the match, including Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga and skipper Victor Wanyama from English Premier League side Southampton.