FAZ Needs Over US$30,000 for Kumasi Trip - Mulonga

FAZ needs more than US$30,000 (over K144 million) to send the Zambia under-23 soccer squad to Ghana for the decisive 2004 Athens Olympic Games qualifier next week.

The association had initially projected its needs at US$30,000 to fly the team to Accra but the switch in the venue from the capital city to Kumasi, some 600 kilometres (Really?) away had upset the budget.

FAZ president, Teddy Mulonga said in Lusaka yesterday that the association had asked for assistance from Government to meet the revised budget.

Mulonga said the association was also looking at the possibility of chartering a plane from Accra to Kumasi to avoid the long road trip.

Meanwhile, Mulonga has hailed the Ghanaian government for assuring the Zambia under-23 squad of good hospitality when they travel to the West African state next week.

He said FAZ was grateful for the assurance from Ghana as it was comforting the Zambian team.

"It is very comforting that the Ghanaian government has come in to assure us of good hospitality. Ghanaians are gentlemen," Mulonga said.

Zambia takes on Ghana in the final Olympics qualifier on March 27. Both teams are tied on 10 points but Zambia has a better goal aggregate.