Zambia has joined the football world in mourning Brazilian legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele.
Pele passed on in the evenings of Thursday aged 82 after losing a battle to colon cancer.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) took to Facebook to share their message of condolences.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) joins the rest of the world in mourning football icon Edson Arantes do Nascimento famously known as Pele.”
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says the world has lost arguably its greatest ambassador.
“It is a great loss to the game as we mourn the man recognised as the ultimate symbol of football. In football he is recognised as arguably the greatest footballer ever,” Kamanga says.
“The world has been left with only memories of one of the luminaries of the beautiful game. He was a perfect ambassador on and off the pitch whose example can inspire serving and retired footballers. He was more than a football icon who transcended national and sporty borders.”
Copper Queens midfielder Evarine Susan took to Instagram to mourn ‘the King’ arguably the Greatest player of all time.
Clatous Chota Chama took to Twitter to share his message of condolence for the King.
1988 African footballer of the year, Kalusha Bwalya in his message said Pele inspired millions of kids in Africa to love the game.
Pele died aged 82, in his native Brazil after battling with cancer. He is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.
The only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was named Fifa’s Player of the Century in 2000.
