Thousand mourners attend Junior Malanda’s funeral in Brussels

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — More than 1,000 mourners clogged Brussels’ main basilica to pay their last respects on Tuesday to Belgium youth international and Wolfsburg midfielder Junior Malanda, who died in a car crash last week.

Among the attendees, many of whom wore Wolfsburg colors, were Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking and manager Klaus Allofs.
Malanda was a back-seat passenger when the driver of the SUV lost control and the vehicle skidded off a slippery highway 10 days ago and overturned several times. Malanda, aged 20, was pronounced dead on the spot.
Former teammate Mbaye Leye said ”it is a tough day for all. We are here to support the family.”
Malanda had Congolese roots, and the service included several African songs and dances.