Zambia football in mourning and shock after tragic accident sees 7 footballers lose their lives on Saturday.
Zambia football is in mourning after seven players from Chavuma Town Council FC were killed in a bus crash.
The disaster happened on Saturday while the team was heading to a third-tier league game in the northwest of the country. The country’s football organisation (Faz) voiced its “deep shock” at the incident.
“We are in touch with the football, civil and law enforcement authorities in the province to furnish us with full details,” Faz president Andrew Kamanga said.
Five of the twelve more victims hurt in the tragedy flown to the capital, Lusaka, for medical attention.
The identities of the dead and injured have not been made public.
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), stated that he and the organisation “hope and pray” that the injured will get well soon.
“I convey my personal and Caf’s deepest condolences,” Motsepe added in a statement.
“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.”
“Truly heartbreaking” is how Artur de Almeida e Silva, the president of the council of Southern Africa’s regional FAs, described the loss of young lives.
“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 we 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.”