STATE THREATENS TO SUE MAHOGANY AIR

THE Ministry of Sports, Youth and Arts says it will sue Mahogany Air if it expresses unwillingness to refund the money Government paid for a chartered plane which was scheduled to take government and FAZ officials and the fans to Ivory Coast for an AFCON qualifier.

Last Friday, Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu, who was leading officials from the ministry, FAZ and soccer fans failed to fly to Ivory Coast after spending a night in the cold at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport following Mahogany Air’s failure to deliver a 120-seater chartered plane.

Nkandu confirmed that Government paid Mahogany Air $224, 000 and not $275, 000 which was earlier reported for a chartered plane which was never delivered. Nkandu challenged the airline to tell the nation why it failed to provide a plane whose main purpose was to quickly bring back the national team from Ivory Coast to prepare for the home game against Comoros.

“As government through the ministry we have demanded for a report from the service provider and we need a refund from Mahogany Air and payment for expenses suffered for the football team. inconvenience caused by “The effect of a 12th the service provider. player was felt. The turn“It was a hard experience out of spectators tells a

TION which was stressing to me story when we talk about and other stakeholders, the popularity of football and we hope and pray such not only in Zambia but the an experience will not reworld over,” Nkandu said. peat itself,” Nkandu said. Meanwhile, Mahogany

Nkandu meanwhile conAir Chief Executive Officer gratulated the ChipolopoJim Belemu said his comlo for bouncing back from pany takes full responsibilthe 3-1 loss to Ivory Coast ity of what transpired. to beat Comoros 2-1 to reBelemu noted that the deem their chances of qualfailure to provide a charifying for the 2023 Africa tered plane was due to unCup after missing the last foreseen circumstances. three editions of the contiHe said his company is nental showpiece. willing to refund but that

He also thanked fans for calculations and discusturning-up in large numsions will be done with the bers to cheer the national ticketing office.