.Lota

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –

THE late Zambian soccer star Dennis Lota will be buried in South Africa at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
This came to light yesterday when Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde visited the funeral house to deliver a message of condolences to the Lota family on behalf of government.
According to a statement released by first secretary for press at the Zambian mission in South Africa yesterday, Patson Chilemba, Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili will lead the Zambian Government’s delegation at today’s memorial service for the late 40-year-old former Moroka swallows assistant coach at Church of Johannesburg Harvest Time Clairmont, from 19:00 hrs to 21:00 hours.
And the Government through the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) had bought four air tickets to enable members of the Lota family in Zambia to attend the burial.
Meanwhile, the death of Lota had a lot to do with Moroka Swallows’ jaded display at home to AmaZulu, coach Zeca Marques said after his team’s South Africa Premiership stalemate with AmaZulu on Saturday.
The Birds were held to a goalless draw by Usuthu at the Dobsonville Stadium in a sombre atmosphere.
Lota passed away last Tuesday and Marques felt the sad news of his fellow coach’s death played a role in his team’s failure to get going in the fixture.
“Taking circumstances into consideration, I couldn’t have asked more from the players,” Marques said after the game.
“They were really drained emotionally and all I could have asked is for them to go out there and remember Dennis. These guys gave everything and after what we have been through I am happy with a point,” Marques added.