The Zambian Football was thrown into mourning on Wednesday following the death of Zambia women’s national team striker Norin Betani.
The Football Association of Zambia announced that Betani died in a hospital while taking treatment for a suspected malaria illness.
Betani was included in the provisional squad of the Cooper Queens for their Olympic Games qualifying fixture against Ghana in Accra this Friday.
She reported to the national team camp over the weekend and she complained of being unwell on Monday, which prompted the Zambian FA to take her to the University Teaching Hospital.
Medical officials at the hospital diagnosed her with suspected malaria but she passed away on Wednesday morning.
A statement signed by FAZ General Secretary, Reuben Kamanga read: “We regret to announce the death of one of our female players Norin Betani who was in the provisional squad for the Ghana match. Betani was taken to the nearest hospital to the team camp which is Kanyama Level One hospital and FAZ engaged the family at every stage.”
This morning in Accra, the Cooper Queens paid their tribute to Betani with a minute silence before their first training for Friday’s game against Ghana while the officials of the Football Association of Zambia stayed back at home to commiserate with the deceased family.
