President of Zambia Edgar Lungu wishes Enock Mwepu well at Brighton
The latest instalment of weird things you never thought you would see as a Brighton supporter is here with the actual President of Zambia tweeting out in support of new Albion signing Enock Mwepu in a bid to boost his chances of re-election.
Soon after Mwepu completed his £22 million move from Red Bull Salzburg, President Edgar Lungu sent out a message reading: “Join me in congratulating #Chipolopolo star @EnockMwepu45 on his signing with Premier League side @OfficialBHAFC. You have done the nation proud and be assured that we will all be rooting for you all the way as you lift our national flag high.”
That was only the start of the fun. Zambia goes to the polls on Thursday 12th August and not to be outdone, President Lungu’s rival for the top job was soon chipping in with his own congratulations for Mwepu.
Hakainde Hichielma tweeted: “Congratulations @EnockMwepu45, ‘Computer,’ on your move to Brighton and Hove Albion. This marks another milestone for us as a country. We trust that you will be an able ambassador and open more avenues for other Zambians to join these ranks. This coming EPL season will be lit!”
It does make you wonder if Mr Hichielma has watched much Brighton when he is describing the prospect of watching the Albion as “lit”. Bloody frustrating is probably a more accurate term, as the people of Zambia may well find out in the coming year when they are trying to translate the term expected goals into Bemba, the most spoken indigenous language in the country.
In the previous general election held in 2015, President Lungu held off the challenge of Mr Hichielma by a tighter margin than the Brexit vote, triumphing with 50.35 percent compared to the 47.63 percent polled by Mr Hichielma.
Just 23 years ago, Brighton fans donated into the Buy a Player Fund so that Brian Horton could afford to sign Rod Thomas from Chester City. 15 years ago, Alex Revell was the biggest signing of the summer when a princely £6000 was handed over to Braintree Town for the services of their star striker.
And now here we are with two candidates in a nation’s Presidential election using the Albion’s new £22 million central midfielder as a means of trying to win votes.
The people of Zambia already appear to be going mad for the arrival of Enock Mwepu at Brighton. The club’s official Facebook page has been taken over in much the same way as South Africa invaded over Percy Tau – and with equally entertaining consequences.
Paul Barber meanwhile will be rubbing his hands together with glee at the prospect of a new African nation to flog Brighton merchandise to.
According to the Zambian Soccer Network, many Zambians are already promising to buy replica shirts of the Albion and Leicester City in honour of Mwepu and his compatriot Patson Daka, who completed a move to the Foxes also from Salzburg last week.
There is even talk in Zambia that Brighton versus Leicester should be considered a derby match. Spoiler alert for anyone considering supporting Mwepu in that one – the Albion have not beaten Leicester in nine attempts since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2017.
