Former Zambia national team winger Clifford Mulenga has opened up about his football journey, saying that while he is personally doing well after retirement, he is saddened to see many of his fellow ex-players, including the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, struggling.
Mulenga, who was dropped from Zambia’s 2012 AFCON squad for “misconduct” by then-coach Hervé Renard, had playing stints in South Africa, Sweden, and domestically with ZESCO United and Forest Rangers, and is now a football commentator.
In a reflective Facebook post, the 2007 CAF Young Player of the Year recalled the turning point of his career when he was sent home from the 2012 AFCON at the quarterfinal stage.
“In 2012, at the quarter final stage of the tournament, I was sent home for an incident I would love to say wasn’t entirely my fault… but my ability to accept responsibility for my actions and accept the consequences told me to take it,” Mulenga wrote.
The 38-year-old admitted the episode was painful, but said it taught him humility and accountability.
“To be honest with you, part of me was shattered and wanted the team to lose, but the other part of me… told me to support the guys because 90% of them had no idea what happened the previous night,” he added.
Clifford Mulenga Says Fans No Longer Remember His Magic
Mulenga noted that while his dazzling skills once drew admiration from fans, memories fade quickly in football.
“Some people have even forgotten how I dribbled defenders and scored cracking goals… That’s the nature of life. The most important thing is how you take yourself.”
Despite claiming he is “doing way much better than 90% of the guys that won medals in 2012,” Mulenga said he takes no pride in that fact.
“HELL NO. Because I was never in a competition with anyone. We still link up with the guys and have fun. It’s all about respect and love.”
Mulenga urged young players to focus on self-improvement and discipline, reminding them that football careers are short-lived.
“The competition is all in your head. Work on yourself every day and respect others.”
He added: “I still think I was the most skillful player in the team but that will be argued because I don’t have a medal to show for it.”
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