Rainford Kalaba: Former Zambia Captain Hospitalized, in Critical Condition After Serious Car Crash

• Rainford Kalaba has been hospitalized after involvement in a car accident
• The TP Mazembe and Zambia midfielder was initially reported as dead
• He has been placed in an induced coma due to the severity of his condition

TP Mazembe Technical assistant, Rainford Kalaba, has been hospitalized and in critical condition after a involvement serious car accident on Saturday, April 13.

The former midfielder's Mercedes reportedly collided head-on with a truck, causing it to veer off the road.

Kalaba's partner was reportedly behind the wheel at the time of the crash on Zambia's Kafue road.

Immediately after the incident, the Zambian was swiftly transported to the University Teaching Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma due to the severity of his condition, as reported by TP Mazembe.

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Initially, erroneous reports were circulating on social media claiming the football icon had passed away.

"We just heard from the medical team that took on Maestro Rainford KALABA. Declared dead by the emergency services who received the former TPM player victim of a serious traffic accident, the doctors who received him have just placed him in an artificial coma, but his situation is critical," the club clarified, as reported by Pulse Sports.

Nzeba Chanda, the UTH Public Relations Officer, stressed Kalaba's survival, debunking the false reports of his demise.

Kalaba's football career summarized

The 37-year-old had retired from professional football before the current season after a distinguished career spanning multiple clubs. Notably, he represented ZESCO United, Braga, and Gil Vicente before joining TP Mazembe, where he made over 250 appearances during his 12-year tenure.

On the international stage, he made 103 appearances for the Zambian national team, notably triumphing in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2012. His success also extended to the club level, as he won the CAF Champions League with TP Mazembe during the 2014/15 season.

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Kalaba's Zambia make op 5 memorable AFCON moments

Sports Brief listed Zambia's 2012 African Cup of Nations triumph among the most memorable moments in the tournament's history.

Kalaba skyed his penalty chance, but Gervinho gave Zambia a second chance as he pushed his spot-kick wide.

Stoppila Sunzu would not allow the moment to pass him by, converting to raise the AFCON trophy into the Libreville heavens.