There are many obstacles to success for professional sportsmen and women – talent, competition, fitness, mental resilience, good coaching, opportunity. Many aspire to compete at the highest level, few achieve it, and the competitive career – depending on your sport – can often be short.
Brighton club shop staff made their own tribute to Enock Mwepu this week
So many hearts went out in recent times to Zambia and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Enock Mwepu, who has had to hang up his boots at the tender age of just 24. Mwepu had gone away on a trip to Mali with the Zambian national team when he fell ill on the plane. After undergoing extensive tests, doctors diagnosed an hereditary heart condition which left him no option but to retire as a player.
Nicknamed ‘The Computer’ because of his phenomenal reading of the game, Mwepu had begun to establish himself in the Premier League, winning Brighton’s Goal of the Season in the 2021-22 for his long-range goal against Liverpool at Anfield. Popular with the players, the fans and the club staff for his upbeat personality and positive attitude, he was a player who many felt had all the attributes to become a massive talent, with the best yet to come.
Mwepu posted on Twitter to announce the news
Tributes were full and heartfelt from across the game with former manager Graham Potter, now at Chelsea, saying "He's a fantastic person so whatever he does he will succeed in his life, but it's a shame we won't see him on the football pitch."
Brighton team mate Danny Welbeck tweeted he was “devastated” to hear the news of Mwepu’s retirement, adding "A great player and a truly great guy. Family and health is way more important than football. Enock will shine off the pitch too. No doubt!"
Mwepu himself tweeted that he had “lived his dream” by reaching the Premier League and that he wanted to stay involved with football.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema also tweeted his support: "Thank you Enock for pushing the boundaries for Zambian football. We wish you good health and God's blessings in your next chapter.”
Hopes were that along with Leicester City’s Patson Daka and Rangers striker Fashion Sakala, Mwepu would be instrumental in leading Zambia, nicknamed The Copper Bullets, to bigger and better things.
All three are players who have spoken publicly about their Christian faith, and the fact that they rely on God to sustain them and their families, and any glory that comes from their sporting achievements is reflected back to their Creator.
“When in doubt, ask yourself ‘What would Jesus do?’” Mwepu wrote on his Facebook page back in 2019, while at Red Bull Salzburg with his friend Daka.
Despite such traumatic news and uncertainties over his future direction, Mwepu knows that as a follower of Jesus, ultimately he is already a winner because of the death and resurrection of Christ. His value is not in doubt – he is made in the image of God, like every human being, and his future is secure in Christ.
Staying rooted in his faith, shared by his wife and family, he knows that success in life is all about obedience: following Jesus where he leads. His plans may have been changed, and it will take time to come to terms with that, but he can be sure God will want to use his talents, his character and his experience in the days and years ahead.
Psalm 90 (v12) in the Bible says “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
We may not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.
