African Football Greats

Brighton & Hove Albion FC Midfield to be computerized.

Brighton & Hove Albion FC Midfield have signed Zambian Midfielder Enock “computer” Mwepu from Austrian giants FC Red Bull Salzburg where he spent four years. They have signed him for a contract of 4-years worth an undisclosed amount.

It’s been a historical summer transfer window for the nation of Zambia as dreams of many of them who have waited for many years to see their players in elite leagues finally came true with the likes of Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka signing for Scotland Champions Rangers FC and F.A Cup Champions Leicester City respectively.

Enock Mwepu is now the newest Chipolopolo addition to the Premier League. The Zambian international may only be 23 years old but he played 103 games for Salzburg, scoring and assisting in his last outing with the Austrian side.

He featured for them in the Champions League group stages last season against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, having made his debut in the competition the previous season in a 4-3 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

Enock Mwepu (left) and Sadio mane (right) fight for the ball during a Uefa champions league match at anfield.

The ‘computer’ as he is widely known by his Zambian fans due to his pass accuracy and intellengence on the ball, has the ability to read the game and slow down the tempo when required and even initiates attacks when needed.

Mwepu in action against Algeria during the Africa cup qualifiers at National heroes stadium.

Mwepu also has the ability to play in multiple positions as an attacking Midfielder, center back , wing back or his favourite position in the central Midfield.

What Brighton fans should expect from him is creativity in the Midfield and a more box-to-box Midfielder who can create chances , assist, defend and score. They have signed a more in one player- the new version of Yaya Touré.

Ngambo is ready to ‘die a little’ for Zambia at the Olympics

Zambia women’s national team goalkeeper Petronella Ngambo Musole feels motivated that the copper queens will be representing the whole continent at the Tokyo Olympics and that she is ready to ‘die a little ‘ for Zambia.

Born in 1998 on the 26th July in Mongu district of Zambia’s western province , Ngambo’s dream was to become a netball player but fate found her playing football and she does not regret as she is now excelling in it.

She began her football career in high school in Choma district in the southern province of Zambia when her teachers asked her to try and be a goalkeeper since she was too good with handling the netball.

“I never dreamt of being a footballer. I used to play Netball and I was very good at it but one day my teacher told me to try and play as a football goalkeeper and that’s how my career started like a joke.”
Ngambo narrated.

After completing her high school, she joined an amateur football club, choma warriors fc where she played as a midfielder but later went back to goal keeping at the same club.

In 2013, Ngambo was part of the Choma warriors fc team that participated in the Airtel rising stars football competition which saw her gain recognition and also a place in the Zambia all stars select team that represented the country in the regional tournament in Nigeria.

Ngambo impressed in Nigeria and she was again selected to be among the players that represented Zambia at the Costa Rica U-17 FIFA women’s world cup.

After the world cup, she moved to Lusaka and joined Tamanga fc in 2014 and was later scouted by Zesco united who signed and made her their first choice goal keeper for the Zesco Ndola girls fc.

Ngambo who now plays for league leaders Zesco Ndola girls in the inaugural FAZ women’s league , said she learned to love football and it has become part of her life.

She said, football is more than a game to her and that she works hard everyday to do her best on the pitch.

“For me football is not just a game, it’s life. We are surviving because of football. I feed my family through food , so I always make sure I work really hard and do my level best during games.”
Said Ngambo.

Ngambo has so far made two appearances for the senior Zambia national women’s team and has only conceded one(1) goal and also kept one(1) cleansheet.

In the FAZ women’s league , she has so far played 16 games for Zesco Ndola girls fc and only conceded five (5) goals making her the only goal keeper in the Zambian women’s league with more cleansheets (11).

She is very confident that the copper queens will represent their country and and continent well this month at the Tokyo Olympics.

“We are training very hard and we are ready to represent the country in Tokyo. Our coaches and everyone involved are doing their best to prepare us for the games. So we are ready.”
Ngambo confidently said.

The shot stopper has also encouraged young girls who want to pursue a career in football not to be discouraged but remain focused, disciplined , and continue chasing their dreams .

The copper queens will be the only African women’s national team at the Tokyo Olympics this month and they were drawn in group F along side China, Brazil and Nerthlands.

TRANSFER: Mwepu set to leave RB Salzburg

Zambian international Enock Mwepu (23) has reportedly received an offer to leave Red bull SALZBURG.

According to Austrian publication Salzburg24, the Midfielder has received a serious transfer offer to leave Salzburg this month and was allowed to miss the bulls camp for the friendly they had on Tuesday as he is now in contract talks.

At the start of Salzburg’s training and the first test match under new coach Matthias Jaissle, Mwepu was still involved. In Seekirchen, the Zambian added himself to the scorers list in their 3-1 win against the Slovak first division club Dunajska Streda. The goal celebration last Friday could have been his last.

Mwepu was nowhere near Salzburg’s bench in their 3-0 triumph on Tuesday evening against the Greek champions Olympiacos Piraeus in Kirchdorf.

However, Fc Redbull Salzburg club confirmed to SALZBURG24 on Wednesday that Mwepu now has a specific offer and is therefore no longer present at the training camp in Bramberg.

Enock Mwepu and Sadio mane fight for the ball.

After a year with the second division FC Liefering and three seasons with Red Bull Salzburg, the 2017 U20 Africa Cup winner and four-time Austrian Bundesliga title holder (plus three ÖFB Cup triumphs) is now set to take on a new challenge.

It is not yet known where he will be headed, but an exit is only a matter of time. According to German media reports, Borussia Dortmund and ex-Redbull Salzburg coach Marco Rose are said to be interested in Mwepu.

Other clubs that have been linked with the Zambian include, Leeds united and RB Leipzig.

“God of Drogba, be with Daka”- Zambian fans flood comments on social media

English premier club Leicester city football have officially announced Patson Daka as their new signing.

The 22-year old will join the foxes on 1 July subject to premier league clearances.

He scored 27 goals in 28 appearances last season in the Austrian bundesliga for Redbull Salzburg where he was named player of the season.

Daka has also become the Redbull Salzburg and Austrian bundesliga record departure in football history after completing a €23m worth move to the foxes.

However due to the experience Zambian fans have had in the past with their players in the English premier league, the religious fans have taken to social media to pray for the youngster.

“Dear God of Eto’o, Drogba, Aubamenyang and all the greatest African players , please be with Patson Daka.”
Patson Kawewe on Facebook.

“We trust you, we believe in you Patson Daka , the whole nation of Zambia is behind you and we are praying for you to succeed.”
James mate wrote on African football greats Facebook page.

“Dear God of Didier Drogba and all the great players please be with our Daka”
Kel Uze wrote on African football greats Facebook page.

Unlike other countries Zambia has not had a player in the premier league that has ever succeeded with the recent ones being former African cup of nations champion and golden boot winner EMMANUEL MAYUKA who didn’t finish a season at Southampton.

Another Zambian to grace the premier league was Collins Mbesuma who joined Portsmouth but didn’t play more than five(5)games for the club and had his contract terminated.

Zambian fans who are now declaring their newly found love for a European club , Leicester city , will hope that their star man succeeds in the English premier league as the player confidently said he is excited to move to the king power stadium and ready for the new challenge.

“I feel it’s the perfect place for me, because it’s a team that fights for titles. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I feel ready to face the new challenge.
Patson Daka to Leicester city fc tv

Should Kenya give JESSE WERE another chance ?

Kenyan international Jackson Jesse Were is going down in the Zambian champions Zesco United’s club records as a club legend.

Jesse this season became the first foreign player to score a 100 career goals for a Zambian club in football history.

The player went on to finish the 2020/21 season as Zesco United’s top scorer with 10 goals in less than 20 appearances this season.

He fired in 4 goals for the Zambian Champion’s final league match against Buildcon which ended 7-2 with the Kenyan walking away with the man of match award.

However, despite proving to be a key player for Zesco united and one of the best in the number seven ranked league in Africa, the 32-year old striker has not been called up to the Kenyan national team since 2019.

He last featured for the Harambe stars in the 2019 Africa cup of nations qualifiers where he did not make the final squad for the Afcon tournament.

Jesse has played nine(9) matches for Kenya, all starting from the bench and has not scored for the Harambe stars.

LEAVE US COMMENT…

DO YOU THINK HE DESERVES A CHANCE IN THE HARAMBE STARS SQUAD?

Daka could get favourite jersey 20 at Leicester city

The 22-year-old Zambian striker who is expected to complete his transfer to the King Power Stadium in the ‘next few days’ with just the final few details needing to be sorted could get his favourite squad number at Leicester city.

Daka who finished the season with 27 goals in 28 Austrian Bundesliga games has always donned jersey number 20 in all his three seasons at Redbull Salzburg and his national team.

That is the squad number currently worn by academy graduate Hamza Choudury at Leicester City. However, the midfielder has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

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He came close to joining Newcastle United on a temporary deal in January, only for the deal to fall through on deadline day with City not being able to bring in a replacement.

But with Leicester also closing in on a move for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare, that could mean that City may be willing to listen to offers for Choudhury.

Newcastle United have been tipped to revive their interest in the summer.

Should Choudury leave the club, either on a permanent of loan basis, that will free up squad number 20 for Daka to take in his first season at the King Power Stadium.

Before Choudhury, the number was previously worn by fan favourite Shinji Okazaki before he left the club at the end of his contract in 2019.

Credit: Leicester City fc- Leicestershire live.

KELECHI, DAKA TO PUZZLE LEICESTER MANAGER

Leicester city is set to unveil Zambian red hot striker Patson Daka as their new singing next week, according to Italian transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano added that the current FA Cup winners beat Liverpool, Chelsea and RB Leipzig to the signature of the Zambia international.

It’s now expected that Daka and Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho will fight for the same position next season.

However, Daka will take Kelechi’s position in the first team when he goes for the Africa cup of nations with his national team as Zambia did not qualify to the Cameroon afcon finals.

The prolific but ageing Jamie Vardy and Iheanacho were manager Brendan Rodgers’ options in attack last season and the duo enjoyed an excellent campaign.

The Nigerian finished as Leicester City’s top scorer in all competitions with nineteen goals while the English star was second best with seventeen strikes.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrate a goal for Leicester city.

Considering that Vardy is undroppable by Rodgers, Daka will be directly competing with Iheanacho for the number two position in the pecking order of attackers.

The Super Eagles striker has a contract with Leicester City until June 2024 having signed a new deal two months ago.

PATSON DAKA with his top scorer and player of the year awards

Daka finished as league top score with 27 goals in the Austrian bundesliga, and won the player of the season award. He will look to continue with his form in the English premier league next season.

UEFA MAINTAINS 1-YEAR BAN FOR ONANA- MOVE TO ARSENAL PENDS

Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana’s doping case appeal still pending and could affect his move to Arsenal as UEFA’s 12-month suspension ruling stands.

Onana was supsended for 12 months starting on February 4 this year after he was found guilty of doping.

The Ajax shot stopper appealed to CAS to remove the Sentence or at least reduce it and allow him to train with his teammates as he justified that he had accidentally taken a pill meant for his wife.

CAS is expected to hear his appeal case this month but UEFA’s stance has not changed, they want the sentence to stand.

However, his move to Arsenal fc now depends on CAS’s response to his appeal to have his sentence removed or reduced.

The English club wants to sign him on a permanent deal this summer.

Onana was banned from taking part in all football activities which includes training with fellow team mates and he will not be able to participate in the upcoming Africa cup of nations next year hosted by his home country if the suspension is not dropped or reduced.

Pitso cries after being insulted by Sundowns fans

South African and Al Ahly SC coach Pitso Mosimane was today insulted by fans of his former club Mamelodi Sundowns after he qualified to the semi finals of the CAF champions league ahead of them with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline.

Pitso’s Al ahly beat Sundowns 2-0 at home and drew 1-1 today in the second leg to secure a slot in the semi finals as they seek to win their 10th champions league title.

However after the match ended, a crowd of Mamelodi Sundowns fans carried placards written on them insults directed to their former coach.

The fans while displaying the placards towards the Al Ahly bus, they were heard cursing their former coach and called him all sorts of unpalatable names.

During the post match press conference , pitso wept and said he wonders what he could have done to earn respect from Mamelodi Sundowns despite everything he did for the club.

“I saw the placards outside and they stop the bus and all these people swearing at me, swearing at my mother. I said to myself, what else I should have done for this team to get the respect?

He said he knows the person behind everything and accused them of being bitter because he left Sundowns.

“But it’s football I understand and I know the person who did that. And I know the person who is behind that. Just bitter because I left, I had to move on with my life, there’s more, I don’t want to talk, the things that I’ve received before my match from South Africa, if I show you my phone, correspondence I’ve received, emails I’ve received, they just don’t let me go.” – an emotionally charged Pitso said.

SAKALA’S BRACE EXCITES RANGERS FANS

Zambian rapid striker Fashion sakala scored a brace for Kv Oostende in his last home match at the club as he will be moving to Steven Gerrald’s Glasgow Rangers fc at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old Sakala scored his 16th goal of the season through a first half brace in a 2-2 draw with Kv Mechelen in the Belgian league, a thing which has excited Rangers fans who took to social media to shower the striker with praises.

Below are some of the comments by Rangers fans on Twitter monitored by A.F.G :

Fashion Sakala signed a four years pre-contract with Glasgow Rangers fc and he will be joining the Scottish club at the end of this season.

His new coach and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard described him as a talented player with so much skill and pace which he will need in his team as they prepare for the Uefa champions league next season.