Africa-Press – Ghana. Dr Joseph Kabungo, the CAF official who died last week Tuesday following Ghana’s 1-1 tie with Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup playoff in Abuja, has been buried.
The Zambian was laid to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka on Thursday, April 7, 2022.
Kabungo collapsed and died at the hospital following the game. While reports indicate Kabungo died as a result of the chaos with fans rioting at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, the Nigeria Football Federation claims he died of cardiac arrest.
Dr Kabungo’s burial was preceded by a professional service at Ridgeway where his medical compatriots bade farewell to him and later a public requiem service was held at Woodlands stadium witnessed by hundreds of mourners.
Tributes were poured out from various quarters of society led by acting Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, sports permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe, Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, FAZ vice president Justin Mumba, General Secretary Adrian Kashala, former ministers of sports Moses Mawere and Vincent Mwale. Among other football personalities that turned up were former national team coaches George Lwandamina, Patrick Phiri and Honour Janza.
Born on 24 December 1971, Dr Kabungo served as Chipolopolo team doctor from 2003 to 2016 and served as a member of the technical bench when Zambia won the Africa Cup in 2012.
At the government level, Dr Kabungo was until his death the Chongwe District Health director.
“Dr Kabungo has contributed immensely to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sports in the area of sports medicine, he will be dearly missed by us all,” said Lusaka Provincial Health Director Dr Consity Mwale.
FAZ vice president Justin Mumba urged the football family to honour Dr Kabungo’s memory by embracing his spirit of excellence that he exuded throughout his life.
“On our part, we repeatedly nominated him for the CAF/FIFA medical committee roles. He was particularly handy during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak where he helped FAZ implement the medical protocols set out by FIFA/CAF,” Mumba said.
“He was also our natural choice for CAF/FIFA matches as the designated Covid-19 and doping officer. In this area, he has left a huge void that will be hard to fill.”
He added. “While many remember him for the Covid-19 and doping roles he regularly played, he also helped in the preparations of medical requirements for junior teams.”
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