Former Zambia U17 national soccer team midfielder Changwe Kalale has died.
The talented holding midfielder was the fulcrum of the U17 national team that sent Zambia to their maiden Africa Cup of Nations qualification in Niger in 2015 under Chris Kaunda.
Kalale was the vice captain of the team that had Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka (skipper).
His last game in national colors was when he played in the final qualifying game of the Niger 2015 U17 Africa Cup against Uganda where Zambia won 2 – 1 away with a brace from Daka to qualify on a 4 – 2 aggregate scoreline.
His exploits with the Junior team earned him a call up to the senior team for a friendly against Ivory Coast and then Chipolopolo coach Honor Janza followed this up by naming him in the 26 man provisional squad for back to back games against Mozambique and Cape Verde Islands in November 2014.
At 16, Kalale was named in the provisional 2015 Africa Cup of Nations squad and he unfortunately was injured on his way to the national team camp together with Nyambe Mulenga and Satchmo Chakawa when the Zesco United bus they were travelling on was involved was involved in an accident.
Three people died on the spot while the midfield ace was confined to a wheel chair after a spinal injury which left him paralysed below his waist.
He passed on today on his 20th birthday.
THis is very painful. Rest in peace Changwe!
He was highly talented. such talents come once in a lifetime. May his soul rest in peace
too bad we av lost a great talent, may his soul rest in peace.
The cold hand of death has robbed us of a talented young man, RIP Changwe .
RIP Changwe. Till we meet again..
Rest in peace lad, sad day for Zambian football, changwe you are a hero
RIP young blood…
Sad news indeed. RIP you man
Rest in eternal peace Changwe Kalale.
Too bad..
Sad news indeed I watched this boy with mwepu ahhh they were a marvel to watch in the midfield
Iyee umwaiche chabipa. This is so sad. Rest in peace young man, hope and pray the family comfort during these hard times. Gone too soon
condolesence to the family rest in peice my brother
sad indeed
condolances RIP Meet in heaven