Zambia and Ayr United defender Frankie Musonda has revealed how former Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu propelled Zambia to their first AFCON in nine years and the drive he has given them heading into the tournament.
Musonda made his debut for the Zambian national team in 2022 in Chipolopolo’s 3-1 victory in a friendly against Congo Brazzaville, where he scored his side’s third goal.
This was after the English-born center-half switched his international allegiance to Zambia, the country of his father’s descent.
The 26-year-old expounded on how former skipper Mwepu helped him settle in during his early days as a Zambian international.
Speaking in an interview with world_rankingpod, the defender revealed, “During my first camp with the team, I shared a room with him. He really looked after me when I just joined. He was doing so much behind the scenes, trying to give us the opportunity to be at our best.”
Donning the iconic Chipolopolo number 11 jersey, Mwepu’s contributions to Zambia’s AFCON qualification were indispensable. The playmaker kicked off Chipolopolo’s qualification campaign when he fired in the equalizer against Comoros in Zambia’s 2-1 victory on Matchday 2.
Having lost to Ivory Coast in the opener, a defeat against Comoros could have spelled doom for the Copper Bullets. The Chipolopolo went on to top Group H, defeating the Cote d’Ivoire 3-0 in the process.
Frankie Musonda on Enock Mwepu’s influence to date
Regarding Mwepu’s influence on the side, Musonda revealed, “The fact that he played for Brighton in the Premier League was a huge inspiration to all of us. To this day, we still use it as motivation to try and carry on what he started.”
The appalling news of Mwepu’s premature retirement came in October last year when he was told by medical doctors that he could not continue playing active football due to a hereditary heart condition.
“When we heard the news [of his retirement], it was really shocking and sad for the team. He doesn’t deserve to be in such a situation. He is a really nice guy. I still message him to see how he is doing,” Franke Musonda added.
Meanwhile, the Chipolopolo are currently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations return, in which they have been pitted against Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania in Group F.
