Retired Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu taken ill in Zambia, Brighton confirms

Premier League club Brighton has confirmed that its former midfielder Enock Mwepu is undergoing tests in hospital after falling ill at his home in Zambia.

Mwepu was forced to retire from professional football in October last year. After falling ill on a flight to join the Zambia team, Mwepu spent time in a hospital in Mali. Tests back at the Brighton medical centre led to Mwepu being diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition. Mwepu moved to Brighton from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021 on a four-year deal reported to be £18 million, scoring three goals in 27 appearances.

Since retiring, Mwepu had returned to Zambia. Local reports on suggested that he had suffered a suspected heart attack on Sunday 15th January while driving and collapsing after parking his car.

Brighton issued a statement on their website on Sunday, which read: “Enock was taken unwell in Zambia and is currently undergoing precautionary checks. Our medical team is in communication with the hospital to assist if required.”

Brighton added, “The club would like to thank the many well wishers for their messages and support. The club nor Enock wish to provide any further comment at this stage.”

Mwepu, known in Zambia as “the Computer” for his footballing intelligence – wrote on Twitter after his retirement that he had achieved his dreams, but that “Some dreams however come to an end, so it is with sadness I announce the need to hang up my boots because of medical advice I have received. This is however not the end of my involvement with football, I plan to stay involved in some capacity.”

Image via African Football.