The Zambian football community was saddened by the unexpected loss of Norin Betani, a valued member of the Copper Queens team, whose passing occurred on February 21, 2023.
As the Copper Queens intensified preparations for the Olympic Qualifiers game against Ghana, tragedy struck when the 24-year-old suddenly passed away at the University Hospital while reporting to camp.
According to reports gathered by Univers Sports, the player from Indeni Roses Football Club was diagnosed with suspected malaria while in the hospital, where she tragically passed away.
Reuben Kamanga, who happened to be the General Secretary of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed the demise of Betani in a statement that reads.
“We regret to announce the death of one of our female players, Norin Betani, who was in the provisional squad for the Ghana match,” Kamanga said. “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,” the statement read.
“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,”
Meanwhile, the Copper Queens of Zambia will take on the Black Queens of Ghana in the first leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Qualifiers away from home at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday February 23, 2023.
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Story by: David Kwaku Dzaku | univers.ug.edu.gh
