The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has expressed sadness and shock at the death of seven players belonging to Chavuma Town Council Football Club.
The team was involved in a road traffic accident on their way to fulfilling a Week 8 fixture of the North Western Province Division One League.
Chavuma District Commissioner Geoffrey Kasonda confirmed the death of seven players.
Twelve others sustained injuries in the road traffic accident that occurred on Saturday around 10:30 hours in the Lunkunyi area along the Zambezi-Chavuma Road in Zambezi District.
The accident involved a Toyota Hiace Quantum, registration number AID 6983ZM, which was transporting Chavuma Town Council football players and some officials from Chavuma to Mufumbwe for a match. The vehicle was driven by Chilobe Brian, a 30-year-old male from Zambezi Township, who is among the deceased..
In addition to the driver, the other six deceased have been identified as follows:
1. Makina Gedion, 26, of Chavuma Centre
2. Chiteta Raymond, 22, of Chavuma Centre
3. Kanshimba Kenneth, 38, of Chavuma Centre (employee of Chavuma Town Council)
4. Kapalu Donny, 30, of Chavuma Centre
5. Steven Tembo, 21, of Chavuma Centre
6. Kaumba Chitale, 20, of Chavuma Centre
The following have sustained injuries and have been admitted to Chavuma District Hospital for treatment:
1. Ngiza Raymond, 24
2. Lungena Sunday, 22
3. Kamilembwe Ernest, 25
4. Siasingele Jimmy, 30
5. Makina Elijah, 36
6. Muyutu Hebex, 19
7. Sakala Blessings, 32
8. Musa Simunga, 31
9. Chikwama Donicious, 23
10. Chinyama Kahokola, 21
11. Ndungu Joel, 24
12. Kabambi Peter, 17
The bodies of the deceased are in Chavuma District Hospital mortuary, awaiting postmortem examinations.
HERE IS THE STATEMENT FROM FAZ; CHAVUMA ACCIDENT SADDENS FAZ
Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
26th October 2024
FAZ SADDENED BY DEATH OF 7 CHAVUMA FC PLAYERS IN RTA
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has learnt with deep shock the death of seven players belonging to Chavuma Town Council Football Club who were on their way to fulfilling a Week 8 fixture of the North Western Province Division One League.
Chavuma District Commissioner Geoffrey Kasonda confirmed the death of seven players and 11 injured.
The injured have been rushed to Chavuma District Hospital where they are being attended to.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says he has received the news with great shock especially after spending his Saturday in North Western Province as guest of honour at the launch of the Sentinel Academy in Kalumbila.
“I am deeply saddened at the news of the accident involving Chavuma Council Football Club that has led to seven deaths. This is more devastating coming on the backdrop of spending a weekend with the football family in the province in Kalumbila Town,” Kamanga says.
“It is still too early to get the full picture but our prayers are with the families of the deceased and the injured. We are in touch with the football, civil and law enforcement authorities in the province to furnish us with full details.”
The bus carrying the team for their match against Mufumbwe Marketeers overturned between Lukhunyi and Ndondo in Chavuma District.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
