LUSAKA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua/GNA) -- The Zambian government has endorsed 5.8 billion kwacha (about 1.53 million U.S. dollars) budget for Zambia's participation in next month's Africa Cup of Nations billed for Ghana, The Post reported Wednesday.

In an interview Tuesday, Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe said following a meeting last Friday with president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Teddy Mulonga, FAZ technical committee chairman Henschel Chitembeya and acting general secretary of FAZ Fidelis Banda, an administrative update was tabled. However, Namulambe appealed to the private sector to assist the government to meet the budget.
He said the 5.8 billion kwacha budget was prepared with a projection that the Chipolopolo Boys will secure a final place at the African Cup of Nations which begins on January 20. Namulambe said the necessary details of the breakdown would be handled by government controlling officers. "Things in the budget will be looked at as we reach each stage. It (budget) was prepared looking at the whole tournament. I see nothing wrong with it," he said. "The only problem is that it is wholly dependent on government. We are asking the private sector to come in." Three weeks ago, sports permanent secretary Bob Samakai announced that the government had asked FAZ to re-look the 5.8 billion kwacha budget.
The submitted budget caters for the Chipolopolo Boys' training camp in Spain and two international friendly matches against Tunisia and Morocco as well as the team's participation in the three-week competition.
According to the budget, about 3 billion kwacha would go towards allowances if the team reaches the final of the competition. Meanwhile, FAZ acting general secretary Banda described the meeting with Namulambe as "fruitful and constructive." "The team is scheduled to travel on the 25th of December for Spain and will later face Tunisia and Morocco," he said. Banda ruled out the possibility of an international friendly against Angola.
"We could not agree on terms with Angola. Since we had not budgeted to go to Portugal, we asked them to pay for airfares but it seems they will not make it," he explained. Banda said all foreign-based players summoned for the tournament are expected to join the team by December 29.