While many people have long believed that former Zambia National Team winger Fwayo Tembo mismanaged his career after moving to Europe, the 35-year-old has spoken up about it, stating that he never failed to reach his full potential.
Tembo’s football career ended at the age of 29 in 2018. He had played for several clubs, including Ètoile Sahel, Astra Guirgui, Hapoel Ra’anana, Power Dynamos, Lusaka Dynamos, and FC Basel.
Many fans have criticized him following his retirement, claiming that he failed to manage his career appropriately during his golden years due to alcoholism, resulting in his premature retirement.
Tembo disputed these allegations in a recent interview.
“I played football to the highest level,” he told SportsBoom.com. “Everyone wishes to play in the UEFA Champions League, which I did. I enjoyed my football career.”
The former Chipolopolo winger, who made 24 international appearances, revealed that his retirement was due to a hip injury and a spinal condition, contrary to popular belief.
“I played football in the UEFA Champions League; I played in Europa; I played CAF Champions League. So my career was not premature; that’s my response [to critics].”
He added, “I also want to play, but because of my leg and my spine, I can’t play; I have a spinal problem; that’s what led to my retirement. Otherwise, I also wish I could still play.”
Tembo disclosed that since hanging up his boots, he finds it difficult to watch football, especially if its Chipolopolo playing.
“I don’t watch football. Especially when Zambia is playing. I do cry too much. So some people don’t know the truth.”
Tembo’s Breakthrough Before Retirement
He went from Zambia to Sousse, Tunisia, in 2008, at the age of 18, and signed with the Étoile Sportive du Sahel, a Tunisian Ligue 1 team. He made his professional debut in April 2008 and appeared eight times in the 2008-09 Ligue 1 season, scoring twice.
Tembo won the Tunisian championship with his team. He featured in 11 Ligue 1 games and scored six goals in the 2009-2010 season.
“I enjoyed my career, and I don’t regret anything. If not for the hip and spine problems, I would still be playing,” he said.
In 2010, he signed a four-year contract with FC Basel from Étoile Sportive du Sahel for a reported €1.2 million, appearing in 30 games and scoring two goals.
During the 2010-2011 season, he played in Basel’s UEFA Champions League group stage matches against Bayern Munich and CFR Cluj. However, he was loaned out after only two years of his contract and never returned to the club.
Tembo, who now resides in Lusaka’s Mtendere township, has created an amateur club known as Ma Yusi (The Youths) to help young people in his community avoid drug and alcohol abuse.
“I thought I should help the youths by creating this club because I noticed that they were drinking and smoking too much, but we have a challenge of sponsorship. We need sponsorship.”
He has called on well-wishers to help him run the club, which is not in any division at the moment.
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