Rainford Kalaba, a legend of the Chipolopolo, has left the University Teaching Hospital

According to the most recent medical data, Rainford Kalaba, the legendary football player from Zambia, has been released from the hospital after making a remarkable recovery from a serious accident.

The former captain of Chipolopolo was riding in a Mercedes-Benz when it crashed into a vehicle head-on in a terrifying incident that at first seemed to have taken his life.

The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka’s public relations officer, Nzeba Chanda, verified in a statement that the former captain of the Chipolopolo will now recover from home.

Part of the statement acquired by Africa Top Sports stated: “Rainford Kalaba has been freed from the UTH-Adult where he was admitted after being involved in a road traffic accident two weeks ago. It also added that today (Friday) marks exactly 14 days from the day of his hospitalization. At his family’s house, he will recover.

The female driver at the scene tragically died in the collision, which appeared to be caused by improper overtaking, according to preliminary findings. Kalaba was sent to intensive care.

In 2012, Kalaba played a key role in Zambia’s historic victory over Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which came down to penalties. He went on to captain his nation and play for the Chipolopolo in excess of 100 senior games.

At the club level, Kalaba was a mainstay for Mazembe during a period of success that included two African Super Cups, an African Confederation Cup, and the African Champions League. He spent stints at Kitwe United and Zesco United in his native country before joining the Portuguese team Braga in 2008.

Before moving to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he had loan spells with Gil Vicente and Uniao de Leiria and only made one appearance for the team.