CHAPECOENSE’S next generation of stars have trained for the first time since losing the majority of their squad in November’s plane crash.
Young fans were transfixed at the Brazilian’s club’s training base as the new look team was put through their paces.
The squad will play their first match in a friendly on January 21 in Chapecoense’s Arena Conda against Brazilian champions Palmeiras.
And just days later on 26 January – less than two months since the fatal plane disaster – they have their league opener at home against local rivals Joinville.
It was only on November 28 2016 that LaMia Flight 2933 crashed near Medellin in Colombia as the charter flight carried most of the Chape squad and management to the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional.
There were 71 deaths overall and 19 of the club’s players lost their lives, with just six survivors – two of whom, Neto and Alan Ruschel, could miraculously play football again.
related stories
Most of the youngsters who will form a part of the new look side are 18 or under, and will be thrust into the tough world of top flight football.
But they looked at home on the pitch in their turquoise training gear as new manager Vagner Mancini, who replaces the late Caio Junior, looked on.
The group included 15 players hurriedly brought in from other clubs, ten promoted from Chapecoense’s youth ranks and four players from last year’s squad – three who were fortunate enough to miss the fatal flight.
Despite how confident they looked on the ball, Mancini is still recruiting players to replace the 19 that died on a Colombian hillside, and is hoping to sign at least 20 – many on loan from clubs who have offered up their stars.
But despite the tough task to rebuild and get the morale of the players and fans up, Chapecoense rejected proposals that would have meant they could not be relegated for three years.
A confidence boost to the players on their first day would have been the presence of defender Neto, who spoke to the youngsters as he returned to the stadium on crutches.
A scar was clearly visible in the back of Neto’s head where he had surgery after the crash as he talked to staff in an inspirational return.
The club were posthumously awarded the Copa Sudamericana trophy after their opponents Atletico Nacional asked governing body CONMEBOL to award it to them.
And FIFA have recognised Nacional’s compassionate response to the Chapecoense air disaster by handing them their Fair Play Ward.
But Chapecoense, as the winner of the trophy, have now qualified automatically for next season’s Copa Libertadores, the continent’s version of the Champions League - meaning more valuable experience for their young squad.
Leave a comment