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Wolfsburg officials speak on Malanda's tragic death

Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Wolfsburg's manager Klaus Allofs and coach Dieter Hecking commented on the tragic passing of Junior Malanda in an official press conference on Sunday.

After losing their 20-year-old midfielder in a car accident on Saturday afternoon, Wolfsburg called a press conference on Sunday.

According to Allofs, Malanda sat on the back seat when the car swerved and bounced off the guardrail to crash into a tree. Malanda was catapulted out of the car and immediately dead whereas the other two passengers were seriously injured.

"Approximately an hour later I got a message that there was a car accident. Gradually more information leaked and we got the final confirmation in the evening," Allofs said.

The Belgian youngster was on his way to the team's meeting point, as the team were gathering before the flight into the training camp to South Africa.

"We have re-evaluated the situation and decided that we will fly to South Africa today to start the training camp. It wasn't an easy decision but we are convinced that it is the right decision."

"Junior was an exceptional young player. He was so talented and full of life. He will be missed," Hecking said.

The "Wolves" will return from the training camp on January 18. Endi