48 hours before their match against Ghana on Friday, the penultimate round of qualifiers for the 2024 Olympics, the Zambian women’s team is in mourning. The Zambian Football Association (FAZ) announced the death of forward Norin Betani on Wednesday.
Sick upon arrival at the training camp, the 24-year-old player was hospitalized for “suspected malaria.”
“The FAZ Secretary General, Reuben Kamanga, explained that the player reported to camp while ill and was taken to the hospital for further examination on the recommendation of doctors. Betani was taken to the nearest hospital to the team camp. The patient was then transferred to the university hospital on Monday and was under medical care until her death,” the statement said.
“This is really sad, especially as we were preparing for the match against Ghana in the Olympic qualifiers. When we learned the news early in the morning, all the players were very sad, even the coaches, because we did not expect it,” emphasized Bruce Mwape, the coach, at a press conference.
“I think she was a very promising player. The first time we called her up, she showed that she could be one of the best players on the team. It’s very regrettable, I can only offer my condolences to the family,” added the coach, who is also under investigation by FIFA for sexual misconduct at the last World Cup.
As a forward for the Indeni Roses in the Zambian league, Norin Betani had scored 11 goals last season and 4 this season. She played her last club match on February 11 against YASA Queens.
