Norin Betani: Zambia Striker Passes Away Ahead of Ghana Clash in Olympic Games Qualifier

Norin Betani: Zambia Striker Passes Away Ahead of Ghana Clash in Olympic Games Qualifier

Lukman Mumuni
updated at February 21, 2024 at 4:11 PM
In this article:
Ghana logo
Ghana
Ghana
24
Zambia logo
Zambia
Zambia
23
CAF Women's Olympic qualification logo
CAF Women's Olympic qualification
Africa
Olympic Games logo
Olympic Games
Oceania
  • Zambian footballer Norin Betani has passed on after falling sick
  • The Zambia and Indeni Roses striker passed away on Wednesday
  • Zambia will face Ghana on Friday in the Olympic Games qualifier

Zambia women's national team forward, Norin Betani, has sadly passed away just days before the 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against Ghana.

The striker, who plays for Indeni Roses, was named in the Copper Queens squad for the two-legged game.

However, Betani fell sick and was rushed to Chawama Level One Hospital, before she was later transferred to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, where she passed on.

Zambia, Norin Betani, Ghana, Olympic Games Qualifier
Zambia striker Norin Betani trains with the Copper Queens ahead of Ghana clash. Credit: @FAZFootball.
Source: Twitter

She could not travel with the team to Ghana due to the illness, and the Zambian Football Association confirmed the news on Wednesday.

“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,” wrote the Zambian Football Federation on their official Facebook page.
“The patient was referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on Monday and was under medical care until her demise. FAZ secretariat staff, family members and her club (Indeni Roses) worked closely during the player’s hospitalization.”

The Copper Queens will face Ghana on Friday in the first leg of their Olympic Games qualifier in Accra, as reported by Sports World Ghana.

Zambia are chasing a second appearance at the multi-sport event while Ghana are yet to qualify for the event.

Ghana to face Zambia in Olympic qualifier

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Black Queens of Ghana will face a difficult test in Zambia in the third round of qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The Ghanaian women's national team reached the next stage of qualifiers after thumping Benin 5-0 on aggregate on Tuesday.

Having beaten their West African neighbours 3-0 in the first leg in Cotonou, the Black Queens made light work of their opponents in Accra, winning 2-0.

Black Queens qualify for WAFCON

Sports Brief also reported that Swiss coach Nora Hauptle led the Black Queens back to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after an aggregate victory over Namibia.

The Black Queens qualified after a 3-2 win from both legs, despite a 1-0 defeat in South Africa.

The Black Queens coach has been on a good run of form with the national team, winning ten of her previous games before the defeat on Tuesday.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.