Zambia's sole national TV broadcasting company said Thursday it would not televise the Africa Nations Cup that will kick off in Egypt Friday for failing to raise the required broadcast rights fees.

The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) director of program Ben Kangwa said it was regrettable that owners of the rights have insisted on 870,000 euros to be paid. However, the corporation failed to raise the money despite it had earlier appealed to both government and business houses for financial support.

Zambia is among the 16 countries that have qualified to participate in the biyearly top soccer event in Africa.

The squad, dubbed as Chipolopolo, will meet its Group C rivals, namely South Africa, Guinea and 2004 champion Tunisia from Jan. 20 to Feb. 10.

Source: Xinhua