Moïse Katumbi, the owner of TP Mazembe and a business tycoon from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has expressed concern about the state of Zambian football and encouraged businessmen in the country to invest in its development.
Katumbi was in Lusaka on Tuesday to see bedridden former Chipolopolo and Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba, who is recovering at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after being involved in a fatal road traffic accident on April 13, 2024, which killed Charlene Mumba, the lady driver of the Mercedes Benz car he was in.
The former governor of Katanga Province has stated that Zambia is not producing players like Kalaba again. However, he believes there is still room for growth if private businessmen in the country invest more in football.
“We need more Zambian players because these days I think football in Zambia is not the same as before; we need more Kalaba(s) in Zambia,” he told reporters after visiting Kalaba at UTH.
He continued: “We need people who like soccer to invest; we don’t have to leave this job only to the government. There are a lot of businessmen here in Zambia; they have to share something with the youth. I have seen academies coming up so I think in the next five years we are going to have a good team in Zambia (if more investments are made).
‘Kalaba should thank God a million times’- Katumbi
Katumbi was pleased with Kalaba’s recovery from the accident that nearly killed him and encouraged him to thank God a million times.
“It’s the same Kalaba; he is talking, he is doing everything, he walked me out of the intensive care unit and he is recognizing everyone and I think Kalaba must thank God a million times,” he said.
The TP Mazembe president also stated that the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner is still with his club and will soon be transitioning to coaching.
Kalaba spent 12 years with the Congolese giants, winning the CAF Champions League, Super Cup, and CAF Confederations Cup before retiring from football.
He played for Mazembe from 2011 until 2023 when he decided to retire.
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