TP Mazembe players paid tribute to longtime clubmate, Rainford Kalaba in Saturday afternoon.

Kalaba, a former Zambia international, was involved in a serious car accident recently and is recovering at the University Teaching Hospital. The club had initially announced him as dead before rushing to correct their published statement. The midfield genius is now said to be responding positively to treatment.

“Mr Kalaba’s condition has greatly improved and is stable. He took his first meal yesterday, he is fully conscious and able to talk,” a statement released on Saturday from the hospital said.

TP Mazembe players held up Kalaba’s number 18 top before the CAF Champions League game against Al Ahly of Egypt. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate with the second leg set for Cairo in a week’s time.