Mazembe shows solidarity to Kalaba before Al Ahly showdown 

Former Chipolopolo captain Rainford Kalaba’s shirt was displayed in front of the full to capacity Stade du TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, before the CAF Champions League Semi Final First Leg, between TP Mazembe and Al Ahly.

Former Mazembe and Chipolopolo player Given Singuluma moved around on the pitch with a raised shirt of Kalaba as fans sent their well wishes to the former Mazembe superstar who was involved in a car accident recently. 

Mazembe also raised the shirt while posing for the team photo in solidarity to Kalaba who is still hospitalised at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. 

The 37-year-old was a passenger in a Mercedes Benz when it collided with an oncoming truck in the south-eastern Zambian town of Kafue a week ago. 

Kalaba spent the majority of his club career at TP Mazembe winning the CAF Champions League with the club in 2015 and the CAF Confederation Cup in 2016. 

Meanwhile some very encouraging photos are making rounds on social media of a conscious Rainford Kalaba posing for a photo in his hospital bed. 

Kalaba was also a major part of the Chipolopolo squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 under Frenchman Herve Renard.