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0 According to an update from DR Congo football club, TP Mazembe, one of its standout former players, Rainford Kalaba, isn’t dead as reported early on Saturday, April 13 but rather has been placed in an artificial coma.
The long serving Mazembe player whose time at the club ended in 2023, was pronounced dead by emergency service workers after sustaining significant injuries in a head on collision car accident with a heavy truck.
The news was widely reported on multiple Zambian tabloids including Zambia Daily Mail and TP Mazembe via it’s Facebook handle. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
However, TP Mazembe have clarified the news stating in a release that the Zambia football legend has been placed in an artificial coma by doctors and is in a critical condition.
This update on Kalaba’s “critical condition” was buttressed by statements from African sports journalist Osasu Obayiuwana and Zambia based Kennedy Gondwe.
Zambia’s Midfielder Rainford Kalaba tries to pass Ghana’s Lee Addy and John Boye (R) (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP via Getty Images)
Prayers for Rainford Kalaba. In a critical condition after being involved in a road traffic accident today. pic.twitter.com/qIvtExrLmW
— Kennedy Gondwe (@KennedyGondwe) April 13, 2024
Kalaba is not dead. He is in the ICU and yes, his condition is serious. This is from a gentleman, Chiti Chitundu, who is at the hospital where Kalaba is being treated. Officials of the University Teaching Hospital have also confirmed this. https://t.co/gy1C3Ied7i
— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) April 13, 2024
Kalaba is a CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Super Cup winner with Mazembe and won the 2012 AFCON in stunning fashion with Zambia in Gabon.
