The Zambian football community mourns the untimely demise of Norin Betani, a striker for both the Copper Queens and Indeni Roses Football Club.
Betani, who was part of the provisional squad for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament qualifier against Ghana, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, at the University Teaching Hospital. She was diagnosed with suspected malaria, as reported by Bolanews.com.
Confirming the tragic news, Reuben Kamanga, the General Secretary of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), expressed deep sorrow over Betani’s passing.
“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 stated. “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.”
He further elaborated on the efforts made by FAZ and other stakeholders during Betani’s hospitalization, highlighting the close collaboration between the FAZ secretariat staff, family members, and her club, Indeni Roses.
Betani, who last featured for Indeni Roses in a Women’s Super League match against YASA Queens on February 11, had been summoned for the upcoming Olympics qualifier just three days later.
Throughout the 2023/24 Women’s Super League season, the 24-year-old striker showcased her talent by scoring four goals, adding to her impressive tally of 11 goals from the previous season.
