Indeed, it’s not over until God says so, as pictures of 25-year-old former Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu circulate on social media at Pastor John Anosike’s New World Faith Ministries Church in Cape Town, South Africa, where he appears to have sought divine intervention.
The clergyman could be seen laying his hands on the former Chipolopolo skipper’s chest in what looked like a prayer.
Pastor Anosike is believed to possess the gift of prophecy and is a prayer warrior. He is also known to be a renowned deliverance minister with an extraordinary unction for healing
His church is also said to be ever-packed with people seeking healing from all over the world.
However, the former Brighton and Hove Albion FC midfielder who was forced to retire at age 24, after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition was seen in the pictures that were posted on Sunday on Pastor Anosike’s Facebook page being prayed for with other congregants at the church.
Mwepu was also seen showing the artificial pacemaker which has been implanted in the front of his chest to the clergyman.
Most people with his condition have artificial pacemakers implanted in their chests to help send electrical pulses to the heart to assist it in beating at a normal rate and rhythm.
Can Mwepu play football again?
Mwepu is not the only player with a heart condition in football history. In 2021, Danish international Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during the Euros after suffering a cardiac arrest.
It was suggested Eriksen’s professional career could have ended but the player is still playing professional football with Manchester United.
The 31-year-old returned to active football after an eight-month absence. He is the first Premier League player to be fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), which can reset the heart after a cardiac arrest.
Eriksen’s collapse came nine years after English midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a near-fatal injury at Tottenham Hotspur.
In 2003 Cameroon’s Marc-Vivien Foe tragically died on the pitch in Lyon after suffering a heart attack.
Although Eriksen’s condition was slightly different from Mwepu, many hope a solution could be found for the man nicknamed Computer.
Mwepu brought magnanimous joy to football lovers during his playing time. And many remain faithful that he will be free from his heart condition.
RELATED ARTICLE: Enock Mwepu is back in football
Prior to his retirement last year, he played in all six of Brighton’s Premier League games. He also made 27 appearances for the club since signing from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021.
Mwepu had 23 international appearances for the Zambian national team, scoring six goals in that time.
He now works at Brighton as an Under-9s coach.
