President Hakainde Hichilema leads tribute messages after Mwepu retirement – Enock”Computer” Mwepu is down but not out.
The sports fraternity has united to pay tribute to the Chipolopolo Boys Captain after announcing his retirement from football at a tender age of 24 following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.
The computer fell ill while on a flight to join the Zambia national team squad in the September international break and had to be rushed to hospital before returning to his club for cardiac tests.
It is the news that has moved sports lovers emotionally and they did not hesitate to express their feelings on their respective social media outlets.
Here are some of the tribute messages….
🗣President Hakainde Hichilema
Enock”Computer” Mwepu is down but not out. We know that you will assist in inspiring new players who will follow in your footsteps. All the best as you start the next chapter of your life.
🗣 First Lady Mutinta Hichilema
Enock Mwepu, You will always be great regardless. Your greatness was not only demonstrated on the football field, but you have also taken the news about the medical condition which has led to your stepping aside from playing football, with admirable courage.
🗣 Hon. Elvis Nkandu
It’s with great sadness that we have learnt the devastating news about the early ending of an outstanding and promising football career of our Zambia National Team captain and Brighton midfielder Enoch Mwepu following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.
This is a huge blow not only for Enock Mwepu but also to us as the nation, however, he has to put his health and his family first and this is the right decision.
As Government, we wish to thank the Chipolopolo captain for all his hard work and dedication to the sport of football at various national levels.
ENOCK Mwepu has always been a wonderful player and a marvel to watch. He will always be remembered as such. We appreciate every moment of his effort on and off the pitch.
Blessings to him and his family; wishing you Enock Mwepu a long healthy retirement. We will greatly miss you Computer, BUT we hope to see you in the football world again in another capacity.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Enock Mwepu as you recuperate.❤️🇿🇲
🗣 Football Association of Zambia
“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 says.
“While it is too soon to talk about the next step, we will walk with him throughout this journey and wish him full recovery. We urge everyone to keep Mwepu and his family in prayers as he recovers from this condition.”
Kamanga adds: “This being a medical diagnosis leaves us with little else to say but only wish our skipper all the best throughout this process.”
The FAZ chief says, “I have since spoken to the player who advises that he be left alone in the meantime to digest in private what has just happened. We however remain at his full disposal for him and his family in this dark moment. Should further information arise the player and agent will liaise with FAZ with the interests of the player being of utmost importance.”
🗣Lee Kawanu
We are devastated and saddened to hear about Enock’s heart condition and what it means for his playing career, especially at such a young age. We are grateful that the quick acting medical professionals have managed to preserve his life because he is still a young man full of energy.
It is great to hear that he still wants to be involved in football because honestly he still has a lot to offer the beautiful game. We are here to support you.
Stand strong like you always do.
🗣Brighton & Hove Albion
“We are all absolutely devastated for Enock. He and his family have had a traumatic few weeks and while we are just thankful he has come through that period, he has seen such a promising career cut short at such a 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.”
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi added, “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.”
Enock was taken ill while on a flight to join up with Zambia during the international break and after a period in hospital in Mali he returned to Brighton to undergo further cardiac tests and ongoing care.
These tests have concluded that his illness is due to a hereditary cardiac condition, which manifests later in life and was not previously evident on regular cardiac screening. Sadly this can be exacerbated by playing sport so Enock has been advised that the only option, for the sake of his own safety, is for him to stop playing football.
Adam continued, “Of course, given this is Enock’s career and a decision which can’t be taken lightly we have taken our time to be as thorough as possible, completed advanced cardiac investigations and collaborated with clinical experts to gain the best second opinions for Enock.
“We will be helping him make sure the condition is managed with the appropriate treatment for him to otherwise live a long and healthy life.”
🗣️ Graham Potter
Really terrible, Thankfully it is not as terrible as it could have been. I think he has been a little lucky as much as he can be lucky. He is alive and well which is something we all thankful for but at 24 years not being able to play football just puts everything in perspective, I will try and call him or send him a message, He is a fantastic person, Whatever he does he will succeed in life but it’s a shame we won’t see him on the football pitch.
🗣️ Jules Breach
This is so sad for Enock Mwepu. Such a talent who we’ve been lucky enough to have at Brighton. You won’t meet a player with a more infectious smile. Wishing him all the best for his future
🗣️ Ryan Adsett
Arsenal away, one of the best away days I’ve done, was thanks to an Enock Mwepu masterclass. 💙
Thank you for the memories, an incredibly horrible situation.
🗣Patson Daka
My friend and brother, we started our football journey together and came to England together, it saddens me that we didn’t continue together…
But our captain, as you said, health and family are more important than football. We plan and God plans, but God is the best of planners.
I wish you all the best for the future and hope to see your continued involvement in Zambian football, in a different way.
🗣Klings Kangwa
No God Why, My Heart Is Broken 😡 🥲🥲 💔💔💔
🗣Fashion Sakala
Today is a very sad day for me and our country for losing the best talent of Zambian football ENOCK MWEPU our national team captain who has been forced to retire at the young age of his career 🙏🏿
Life is full of challenges, and one of the things that has made you successful has been your ability to master each new opportunity and I believe you conquered all your opportunities to reach this far 🙏🏿
I’m so thankful and grateful for all the days and years we have spent together on the pitch 🙏🏿
You are special and loved! We’re rooting for you as you settle into the new chapter of your life! May your garden always grow and be filled with beauty and happiness
My Prayers to you and your entire family is to stay strong during this difficult time😢🙏🏿
🗣Emmanuel Banda
Stay Strong Champ❤️❤️, We are together.
🗣Red bull Salzburg
Stay strong Enock, you’re always welcome in Salzburg and you’ll always be a part of our family! ❤️ #EinerVonUns
🗣 Kano Nwankwo
When one door closes another door opens. Wishing you the very best @enockmwepu 🙏🏽 love and light for the future
🗣Barbra Banda
It’s difficult to begin to process this news, and I can only imagine what you must be going through.
You have been an inspiration to a lot of us both on and off the pitch. We can only pray and stand with you through these trying times.
Thank you for all the beautiful memories, captain.
🗣Hazel Nali
Sad News of the Day😭😭😭
All this talent just like that🥲🇿🇲
Our captain😭💔
🗣️ Evarine Susan Katongo
As a Midfielder watching you play football the way you did gave me courage and hope that me too I can pursue my dream.
Sad to see a promising career like yours cut short due to a medical condition.
Wishing you good health and strength.
We stand with you our captain, we will never forget your brilliance on the pitch.
🗣Grace Chanda
😭😭😭 stay strong champ. Thank you for inspiring me to work hard and put in my best. I pray for your good health. Sending you❤️ computer.
🗣️ Danny Welbeck
Devastated for Enock. A great player and a truly great guy. Family and health is way more important than football. Enock will shine off the pitch too. No doubt!🙏🏿
🗣️ Ireen ‘Xavi’ Lungu
I’m Saddened 💔
This Is So Heart Pounding, A person I Have always looked up to in this beautiful game, A hero, A teacher, My motivator, My inspiration 😞
You will always live to be my greatest idol❤️.
I will have to take it up where you’ve left it🙌🏾
Get well soon Champ! Big smiles😊
May the king almighty strengthen you
Enock Mwepu