Footballer vows to return to football despite career ending spinal injury

All he was thinking about in December 2014 was how to represent Zambia in the 2015 African Nations Cup, but sadly that didn't happen.

One of Zambia's most promising footballer Changwe Kalale instead watched his teammates at the tournament from a hospital bed where he was recovering .

Four people died while eight others were badly injured after a car him and two of his teammates were traveling collided with another car.

They were on their way to join the camp of the Chipolopolo of Zambia's camp where they were preparing for the African Nations Cups when they had the accident.

Changwe Kalale had a spinal injury which left him with limited movement from the waist down and was told by doctors that he many never walk again.

The midfielder however is hoping to return to the football pitch one day.

"I can't give up on football just because of that accident," the 17-year-old said in an interview with BBC Sport at Nchanga South Hospital in the mining town of Chingola where is currently recovering.

"After the accident, I wasn't able to move. All I could do is sleep on the bed. But I'll be back, I know I will play football again. It's a matter of time.

"It has been a very painful experience for me especially because my career was on the rise. I'm sure I'd have played at the Africa Cup of Nations but the accident ruined all my plans."