Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his football career following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.
The condition, which can worsen over time, would put Enock at an extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event, if he were to continue playing competitive football.
Club chairman Tony Bloom said, “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.’”
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has said that it 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 says the Association will wait to hear from the player and medics on the next step.
“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 be left alone in the meantime to digest in privacy what has just happened. We however remain at his full disposal for him and his family in this dark moment. Should need for further information arise the player and agent will liaise with FAZ with the interests of the player being of utmost importance.”
Head of Medicine and Performance, Adam Brett revealed that Mwepu was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition which can worsen with time and puts the players at high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event.
Mwepu has been admitted in a London hospital since being airlifted from Bamako on September 25 for further medical tests.
its indeed heartbreaking to hear such a sad development. Close friends to Mwepu, kindly advise him to seek genuine men of God. Nothing is insurmountable with Jesus the healer of all diseases.
Thanks Mwepu, you were a good ambassador for our country. Just start working on your sports administration papers, you can still contribute to Football without having to be a player, you can be a coach, a manager, a technical director, a scout, or a sporting director. And you are in the best place to get skill and qualification for these things which is Europe
It’s not the end yet as there’s always a second chance. The best is to seek a second opinion. Nwanko Kanu had a similar experience while playing in Italy. After undergoing surgery in the US he came back with a bang as one of the top Arsenal players
After Eriksen’s collapse which came nine years after Fabrice Muamba’s near-fatal injury at Tottenham and 19 years after Cameroonian International Marc-Vivien Foe tragically lost his life in Lyon…advanced heart screening of players is taken very seriously in the UK…I am sure Brighton consulted the top heart surgeons in Europe before concluding to this decision.
What exactly is this heart condition? Can it be cured with a pacemaker? He needs to seek a second opinion. Brighton can say whatever they want, but Enock needs to seek a second opinion before hanging up his boots. If it turns out there is a valid issue, I would strongly encourage the young man to consider a coaching career. After all, they say that he is very cerebral. We might have another Bruce Mwape or Brightwell Banda in him. I was tempted to add Ackim Simukonda to the list, but I hated that Nkana Red Devils football of the 1980s, even if it was effective to the point of being dominant; it was still so ugly. While Mufulira Wanderers gave us colourful players like Kalusha Bwalya, Red Devils gaves us Modon Malitoli!!!
He can undergo treatment for that hereditary heart condition and still play competitive football.
Nwanko Kanu, Eriksen(Man U) are good examples. However the risk is still remains.
Its up to him and his family to weigh the options.
Donate a heart to him.
Quickly take up a coaching course.
Today there is a job with Burton Albion league1 for a manager on coaching tactical and team building looking into skills within the team. Worth a look at ???????
You need UEFA coaching badges for those type of jobs…you dont just apply just like that!!
@Jim Bridges are you talking about BHA? Or is this another team altogether? I am watching NBCSports and the reporter David Ornstein states his club has suggested something similar. As a player in the team a Work Study programme would be shaped out for him to go into coaching where he would later obtain UEFA coaching badges.
The rot continues at LT. How do you give us dozens of paras on such a big story but fail to mention what club Mwepu plays for? Who will give us basic journalism in Zambia?
Even the Talksport show featuring Graham Souness who is an Ambassador for British Heart Foundation is encouraging Mwepu to venture into other areas of football. Souness had heart surgery but went on to coach Liverpool Newcastle etc.
You will forever be remembered for the good works you HV done for our country
Thanks for all you’ve done Mwepu, you going to leave a big hole in the middle of the park but Yes, health comes before anything else. Take it easy.