Zambia under-20 National team head coach Chisi Mbewe has paid tribute to Enock Mwepu whose Football career came to an end after being diagnosed with an hereditary heart Condition.
Mbewe has also revealed that the team’s match against Botswana today at the ongoing TotalEnergies under-20 Africa cup of nations/COSAFA qualifiers will be dedicated to Mwepu for his service to the nation as he was the Chipolopolo’s captain until his retirement on Monday.
He has thanked him for his massive contribution to Zambian football as he was among the U-20 national team class of 2017 that won the Africa cup nations and qualified Zambia for the U-20 World Cup.
” It’s really a sad development for such a talented footballer to have his career cut short, due to health matters.
“To us as a team we will dedicate today’s game to him and we wish him well, may the Good Lord intervene in his situation, he shouldn’t lose hope and let him continue believing that he will be fine and we will continue praying for him,” he said.
The junior Chipolopolo boys will today wrap up their group stage matches against Botswana at the Mavuso stadium in Manzini, with the hope of maintaining a 100% record at the tournament and sealing their semi-final slot.
Mbewew is expected to make a few changes from the team that beat Eswatini 2-0 with Levison Banda expected to replace Jaban Tembo between the sticks and Gift Mphande, Amon Chulu, Lombe mutale aswell as Mathews Banda set to make up the back four.
Zesco United’s tricky winger Chipyoka Songa who missed the last game due to club commitment is expected to be back in the starting line-up, and he will be joined by Charles Majapa Mumba who was named the player of the match in the game against Eswatini, and Dominic Kaunda in the will midfield.
Upfront, Kingston Mutandwa, Lasmond phiri, Moses Mulenga and Emmanuel Mukosha will be some of the options that will be considered.
The young Chipolopolo’s match at the COSAFA cup which is also being used as a qualifier to the TotalEnergies AFCON under-20 Egypt 2023, will kickoff at 15:30 Zambian.
