After being declared dead following a 2016 car wreck, a Congolese athlete who had played professional soccer in Germany has emerged alive and well. German prosecutor Anette Milk confirms to PEOPLE that Hiannick Kamba, 33, is not dead.
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“Mr. Kamba has recently returned to Germany,” Milk explains via email. “There are no reasonable doubts about his identity.” Milk adds that “an investigation into fraud is underway at the Essen public prosecutor’s office against his wife. She denies the charge.”
PEOPLE was unable to determine the name of Kamba’s wife.
German newspaper Bild reports that Kamba’s wife is being accused of fraud after allegedly forging documents, including a death certificate, in order to collect on a life insurance policy.
According to Milk, the amount the wife allegedly received “is a low seven-digit amount (in euros).”
Neither Kamba or his wife have been charged with a crime, and it is unclear if authorities believe Kamba knew about the alleged scheme. Kamba was a former defender for FC Schalke 04 in the German Bundesliga league. At the time of his purported death, he was playing for VfB Hüls. The couple has a 10-year-old daughter. Bild reports the January 2016 car crash that purportedly killed him was allegedly staged in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
Meanwhile…
[SIZE=7]Gor Mahia legend “Ogwanjo” eulogized as a gifted midfielder[/SIZE]
“He was the finest dribbler I have ever played with.”
These are the words former Kenyan international Allan Thigo used to describe fallen Gor Mahia legend Martin ‘Ogwanjo’ Ouma, fondly known as ‘Chati’ due to his dribbling prowess in the 60s and 70s.
The late Ouma who died at 71 is survived by his widow Claris Ouma and nine children. He will be laid to rest on Tuesday at his home in Hawinga village, Alego Usonga in Siaya County.
Ouma took a final bow on Saturday. He collapsed and died at his home after suffering a stroke. He has been ailing for the past three years.
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Ouma who played in the midfield, earned the name ‘Chati’ (Luo for a very troublesome person) because he gave opposing defenders a hectic time.
According to his son Tom Ouma, the burial will only be attended by immediate family members and few friends due to a ban on social gatherings by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus.
His wife Claris Ouma eulogized him as “a humble man with great wisdom whose popularity did not make him forget his family.”
“Death has taken a very loving man from us. He was a very humble man, a man of the people and a man with great wisdom,” Claris said.
Ouma was among the first players to have joined Gor Mahia when the club was formed in 1968. He went on to play for the 18-time Kenyan Premier League champions until he retired in 1981.
He played alongside former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for Luo Union FC in the early 60s. The club was later transformed to Gor Mahia in 1968.
Odinga, Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier, Gor Mahia CEO Lordvick Aduda, and Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga have sent their condolences to the family.
“We have lost one of the founder pillars of the Mighty Gor Mahia. Ogwanjo ‘Chati’ is truly one of the best dribblers K’Ogalo has had in all these years of existence. We pray for the family and for his soul to rest in eternal peace,” Rachier eulogized the former Harambee Stars player.
Tom confirmed that the family had received messages of condolences from Odinga whom he said had given the family financial support to ensure a decent send-off for his teammate and friend.
“Jakom (Odinga) has personally reached out to the family and has supported us to ensure our fallen father gets a decent send-off. We are very grateful to him for standing with us during this trying moment,” said Tom.
The late Ouma will be remembered for the role he played to help the national team Harambee Stars qualify for the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations which was hosted in Yaounde, Cameroon.
It was the first time Kenya, under the tutelage of German coach Eckhardt Krautzun, qualified to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. Harambee Stars finished third in their group behind Cameroon and Mali. Togo was last.
“I still remember how ‘Ogwanjo’ enabled Kenya to qualify for Afcon for the first time in 1972. It was tough during those years because only eight teams participated in the tournament and getting a slot required dedication and winning matches,” said Thigo.
Apart from Thigo, the other surviving members of the 1972 Harambee Stars Africa Cup of Nations squad are John Nyawanga and Joram Roy.
Nyawanga who lives in his rural home in Luanda, Vihiga County, recounted how he captained Harambee Stars to Afcon in 1972, saying coach Krautzun would substitute him with Ouma in matches.