TRIBUTE TO FORMER GOALKEEPER
TPM shares the pain with KALEMBA Family!
November 29, 2012
It is a deep tribute that took place on Tuesday, at the end of the training session of the Ravens. Gathered around the Chairman and his colleagues, the management of TPM has expresses his shock and sadness after the death of the man who, in 2001 participated in the coronation of the Ravens in the Linafoot and shone again the following year in the quarter-finals of Champions League in which TP Mazembe signed his come-back in the African club competition.
We won’t see anymore his imposing stature in the poles of stadia neither in the country nor in Africa. Pascal KALEMBA LUKOKI is passed away. The Congolese former international died Tuesday from stomach pains, according to his relatives. This sad news came to his teammates as they were leaving the TPM Stadium Tuesday after the training session.
Wednesday after the training session players, around the chairman, gave tribute to the memory of KALEMBA and expressed their profound sadness to the illustrious dead for the high services rendered (credited with a dozen of selections). The Chairman Moïse KATUMBI promised to take care of funeral expenses… A sign of solidarity welcomed by all players of TPM.
Having fulfilled his contract as a professional footballer in the country and in Gabon, for over a decade, Pascal KALEMBA deserved probably a retirement. Maybe in Kinshasa where he would certainly be busy coaching youth goaltenders that he helped during his lifetime.
Memories by MPUTU and MFUTILA
Andy MFUTILA who knew him as coach for Lupopo: “KALEMBA was a guy who fought with patience to reach the top level especially during the CAN 2006. During the same year in Lupopo as goal keeper; we were eliminated in the Interclub’s African Cup by Super Sport United from South Africa. After 2-0 in Lubumbashi we lost by the same score in the second leg, while we were expecting the big KALEMBA on the penalties kicks South Africa had taken over…May his soul rest in peace, and I also remember Robert KIDIABA was selected for the first time because of the misconduct of Pascal. But in all this, outside and on the pitch, he was a leader” MFUTILA said.
“He was a big brother in the national team. We maintain true relationships so, his death affects me greatly. I pay tribute to him because during his lifetime he served as beautifully as he can the DRC flag” Trésor MPUTU said on behalf of all his teammates and of Leopards with whom he played as the holder for the CAN 2006. The Captain MPUTU conveyed his sincere condolences to the bereft family.
KALEMBA GLOWING CAREER
2001-2003: TP Mazembe – 2003-2005: AS V. Club – 2005-2006: FC Lupopo – 2006-2007: Téléstars/Gabon – 2007-2009: DCMP – 2009-2010: FC Missiles/Gabon – 2012: US Tshinkunku