LUSAKA, Sept. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Zambian police has arrested and charged 48 suspects for taking part in a riot in Kitwe city Saturday after the national soccer team lost 1-0 to Senegal in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

    Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo said in a statement Monday that police have charged 14 of the 48 suspects with arson while 34 have been charged with malicious damage to property and riotous behavior.

    The suspects will appear in court soon, he said.

    Soccer fans in Kitwe, a mining town in the Copperbelt province,went on riot after the lost that totally dashed Zambia's hope for the World Cup finals.

    The riot began immediately after the match Saturday afternoon and lasted until early Sunday morning. A mosque was damaged. Motorvehicles and other properties belonging to western African residents were destroyed.

    Mateyo said the security situation in Kitwe has normalized and that police officers are still on the ground to maintain law and order while investigations into the matter have continued. Enditem