19-year-old Mozambican footballer killed by crocodile during training

A 19-year-old Mozambican football player Estevao Alberto Gino was killed by a crocodile along the Zambezi river in the western town of Tete last Thursday.

His club, Atletico Mineiro de Tete confirmed the attack to local media explaining that the amateur footballer was grabbed by the crocodile when he decided to cool off near the river after jogging.

“The crocodile came out of the water abruptly and took him by the waist. After that, the animal ran back into the water,” the founder and coach of the amateur side, Eduardo Carvalho told the media.

He also told AFP that at the time of the incident, the footballer was in the company of two neighbours who said “the crocodile was five meters long and they could not do anything”.

The body of Estevao Alberto Gino has since not been found, local police spokesperson confirmed to AFP on Monday.

Crocodile attacks are frequent along the Zambezi river which is a source of drinking water for locals.