Following the deaths of seven Chavuma Town Council FC players in a bus accident, Zambian football is in grief.
The disaster happened on Saturday while the team was traveling to a third-tier league game in the northwest of the country, and the country’s football organization (Faz) voiced its “deep shock” at the incident.
Andrew Kamanga, the president of Faz, stated, “We are in contact with the province’s football, civil, and law enforcement authorities to furnish us with full details.”
Five of the twelve more victims hurt in the tragedy are in the capital, Lusaka, for medical attention.
The identities of the deceased and injured have not yet been made public.
Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe said he and the governing body “hope and pray” that those injured will fully recover soon.
He stated:
“I convey my personal and Caf’s deepest condolences,”
“May God comfort and console the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased and the Football Association of Zambia.
“May the souls of the departed players rest in eternal peace.”
Artur de Almeida e Silva, the president of the council of Southern Africa’s regional FAs, said the loss of young lives in such a manner was “truly heartbreaking”.
“Football is a sport that unites us, bringing joy and pride to communities across our region,” he said in a letter to his counterpart at Faz.
“In this tragic moment, we share in your grief and offer our heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends who are mourning this immense loss.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are still receiving treatment for their injuries.”
