Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant says captain Enock Mwepu will be hard to replace but will ensure that he finds a solid alternative for the retired influential midfielder.
Mwepu retired from football at the age of 24 due to a congenital heart condition that was diagnosed in October at his English club Brighton Hove & Albion.
This March, when Zambia resumes their 2023 AFCON Group H qualifiers will see Chipolopolo officially begin life without Mwepu in a competitive game.
Mwepu’s last call-up came last September in an away friendly against Mali but he did not play after he was taken ill and admitted in Bamako before heading back to Brighton where more tests were carried out before the bad news was announced.
The midfielder has been handed a new appointment by Brighton where he is now an academy coach with the clubs’ Under-9 team.
ZAMBIA COACH GRANT ON MWEPU
“I see for Zambia he was a great player but not just for Zambia but in the Premier League he played fantastic in the Premier League,” Grant, who is a former Chelsea coach told ZNBC TV Sports.
“I am really sorry we don’t have him in the team because his personality and quality are what we really needed.
“He played well and he was a good captain and he is not so old it will not be easy to replace him.”
Grant was appointed coach in December on a two-year deal.
The Israeli-born coach is expected to make his competitive debut this March with a new captain when Chipolopolo plays Lesotho in a 2023 AFCON Group H doubleheader that will see Zambia at home in the first leg.
“This is one of the challenges of the coach to find a captain when a big player is not playing to find a replacement,” Grant said.
“For the moment, I haven’t decided anything yet I just want to see the players.
“I want to see their character and then I shall make a decision.”
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