Zambian Soccer Network talk Enock Mwepu
The more we read about new Brighton signing Enock Mwepu, the more we like him. The £22 million pound midfielder learnt to play with a ball made of plastic on rocky Zambian surfaces covered in dust.
He is nicknamed ‘The Computer’ because of his ability to compute the perfect pass out of even the tightest situation. He has played in every position during his four seasons with Red Bull Salzburg except goalkeeper, left back or centre forward… cue Graham Potter using him as a lone striker, then.
Enock Mwepu has even caused enough of a stir in signing for Brighton that the deal has permeated the race to be Zambia’s next president. Current incumbent President Edgar Lungu was quick to wish Mwepu well on his move to the Premier League and that was followed by a similar message from Hakainde Hichielma, the main rival for the top job. Backing Mwepu is a vote winner.
To find out a little more about Mwepu, we spoke to Mutheliso Phiri at the Zambian Soccer Network. He explained what the Albion can expect from their new record-buy and how the deal has been greeted in Zambia – other than by the two men going for the presidency.
What sort of player is Enock Mwepu? He seems to have been used in a lot of different roles at Salzburg, so which would you say is his best position?
He was mainly used by Salzburg as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder or on either wing. He can do the defensive position and the attacking position equally well and that makes him a good box-to-box midfielder. A lot of people liken him to Yaya Toure.
It is a big step up to the Premier League. How do you think Mwepu will cope with English football?
It is always a very big step for any Zambian to play in England. He has played for Salzburg in the Champions League and Europa League and done well, so he has the mentality to succeed at the highest level. We hope that means that he can become a success in England.
Has it come as a surprise that he has joined Brighton?
I was surprised because he was being linked to a lot of clubs in Germany and France and it seemed that he would go there. In England, it was either Leeds or West Ham that were mostly mentioned for his signature. Brighton came out of the blue and it all seemed to happen very quickly within a few days.
How excited are people in Zambia about seeing Mwepu in the Premier League?
Zambians are very excited to have Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka both now in England. Striker Daka joined Leicester City from Salzburg a week before Mwepu moved to Brighton. We also have Fashion Sakala in Scotland who has just moved to Rangers.
They will now be able to watch their countrymen live on television as Zambia receives the Premier League and SPL. This was not possible when Mwepu and Daka played in Austria with Salzburg or when Sakala was in Belgium at Oostende.
As part of their excitement, a lot of Zambians are saying that they will buy Brighton and Leicester replica shirts. It looks like Brighton versus Leicester will now be a derby match for Zambians!
Thanks to Mutheliso for answering our questions. You can keep up with the Zambian view of Enock Mwepu and his time at Brighton over on the Zambian Soccer Network website and on the Zambia Soccer Net Twitter page.
