Former Chipolopolo midfielder Emmanuel Zulu has said sensational and inaccurate media coverage played a major role in derailing his once-promising football career.

Zulu was regarded as one of Zambia’s brightest prospects in the late 90s. He made his mark as the youngest player in the Zambian Premier League at just 16.

He represented the country at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and went on to earn a few senior caps.

At club level, Zulu played for Zanaco, South Africa’s Supersport United, and in Malaysia, among others. But his time at Supersport ended abruptly when his contract was terminated for what then-coach Pitso Mosimane described as “excessive beer drinking and indiscipline.”

The dismissal, coupled with persistent injuries and off-field challenges, stalled Zulu’s career. He never returned to the heights many had predicted for him.

Speaking on The Godfrey Chikumbi Football Podcast, Zulu reflected on how past controversies were reported. He said the coverage was exaggerated and left a lasting stain on his reputation.

“Most of the mistakes, in the sense that I expected some media houses not to blow it up the way it was….. And some wrong information,” Zulu said. “If it was like these days, I would sue them for damages, because it is there on Google and everything. You know what it has done…it destroys you.”

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