Zambian international football star, Enock Mwepu, has retired from football after being diagnosed with a Hereditary Heart Condition, at the age of 24, his club, Brighton and Hove Albion, made the shocking announcement on Monday morning after the player fell ill while on a flight to link up with his Zambia team-mates in the international break last month.

 

He was briefly hospitalized in Mali, but has returned to his English footbal club, Brighton and undergo a further cardiac tests, where the heart condition was pronounced. The announcement made by Brighton and Hove Albion revealed that the 24-year old would have a high risk of suffering a cardiac arrest on pitch should he continue playing competitive football. 

 

‘I am so sorry for Enock,’ Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi said.

 

‘Before I arrived I looked at all the squad, and he was a player I was so excited and looking forward to working with. We will do everything we can to help him.’

 

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom added: ‘We are all absolutely devastated for Enock.

 

‘He and his family have had a traumatic few weeks and while we are just thankful he has come through that period, he has seen such a promising career cut short at such a young age.’

 

Mwepu has played six Premier League games for Brighton this season, with his most recent appearance coming in the 5-2 victory over Leicester on September 4.

Enock Mwepu has been forced to end his playing career following the diagnosis of a hereditary heart condition.

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 10, 2022

 

The 24-year-old has been missing from the squad for all of the Seagulls’ last four matches since the recent international break. Mwepu said he hoped to continue his involvement in the sport after receiving the devastating news.

 

‘A boy from a small Zambian township called Chambishi has some news to share,’ Mwepu wrote in a statement on social media.

 

‘He stood strong to follow his dream of playing football at the highest level, and by the grace of God he achieved his dream by reaching the Premier League.

 

 

‘Some dreams however come to an end, so it is with sadness that I announce the need to hang up my boots because of the medical advice I have received.

 

 

‘This is however not the end of my involvement with football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity.’

❤️ pic.twitter.com/8F2lTabjJg

— Enock Mwepu (@EnockMwepu45) October 10, 2022