TRAGIC END

…Hereditary heart condition ends Mwepu’s football career

AHEREDITARY heart condition has caused a premature end to Chipolopolo Captain Enoch Mwepu’s superb football career at the age of 24.

According to his club Brighton and Hove Albion, Mwepu was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition that can worsen over time and put him at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event, if he were to continue playing competitive football.

Mwepu was taken ill while on a flight to join up with the national team during the international break and after a period in hospital in Mali he returned to Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests and care.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said the club was devastated for Mwepu and his family who have had a traumatic few weeks after seeing a promising career cut short at a very young age.

“As a club we will give him all the love, help and support we possibly can to make a full recovery, and then as he decides on the next steps in his life,” Bloom said.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said, “I am so sorry for Enock. Before I arrived I looked at all the squad, and he was a player I was so excited and looking forward to working with. We will do everything we can to help him.”

Head of Medicine and Performance, Adam Brett explained, “It is a terrible blow for Enock, but he has to put his health and his family first and this is the right choice, however difficult it is to quit the game he loves.”

Brighton has noted that they will help Mwepu to make sure the condition is managed with the appropriate treatment for him to live a long and healthy life.

Meanwhile, Mwepu has hailed everyone who has helped him live his dream of playing football at the highest level, the English Premier League.

“Some dreams come to an end so it is with great sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I have received,” Mwepu said.

“This is however not the end of my involvement with football. I plan to stay involved in some capacity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that supported me in my football journey including my wife, and family. My agent 12 Management the Zambian FA, all my previous clubs, team mates and coaches and especially everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion,” he said.

And the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has received with profound shock and devastation news that Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu has been diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

FAZ President Andrew Kamanga said the Association will wait to hear from the player and medics on the next step.

Kamanga confirmed that Mwepu has been admitted in a London hospital since being airlifted from Bamako on September 25 for further medical tests.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that Mwepu will no longer be able to play football on the advice of medics. We have kept tabs on his condition since he was admitted to hospital in Mali and airlifted to London and had hoped for better news,” Kamanga said.

“While it is too soon to talk about the next step, we will walk with him throughout this journey and wish him full recovery,” he said.