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I Can’t Play On A Plastic Pitch – Jacob Mulenga
Jacob Mulenga
Jacob Mulenga says Doctors’ advice not to play on artificial pitches forced him to withdraw from Zambia’s trip to Lesotho.
Mulenga told MTNFootball.com that they were no personal reasons for his decision to pull out of the 2014 World Cup qualifier after featuring for his Dutch club FC Utrecht on Sunday in their 2-1 away loss to Feyenoord.
Zambia will play Lesotho on an artificial turf on March 24 in the two sides Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Group D qualifier in Maseru.
The Utrecht striker withdrew from the team last week on medical grounds and was replaced by Romanian -based forward Fwayo Tembo.
“I am not coming because of the artificial field in Maseru and everything between me and Herve Renard is OK,” Mulenga said.
A litany of injuries have blighted Mulenga’s career since he moved to from Zambian club Afrisports to Europe in 2003 to play for French club Chateauroux.
The latest saw him miss the 2012 Africa Cup when he was sidelined for 10 months and only returned to action this season for this Dutch club.
Mulenga also missed the 2006 Africa Cup due to injury.
“Zambia has always been my priority. It’s the place I started my football and it is my country, was born and raised in Zambia,” Mulenga said.
“Yes my club has medical concerns because I also have a career to think of and in football staying fit is the number one thing.
“I have been through two years of operations but my God is a powerful God, he has brought me back and got me stronger than ever.
“Most people never get back after such injuries, so if I am advised to miss a game because of medical concerns I will do it without a doubt. I’ve been nothing but loyal to Zambia and will always stay loyal.”
Mulenga has made a roaring return to action this season for Utrecht scoring 12 goals in 23 matches despite his disappointing outing at the Africa Cup in South Africa where he only saw a barren 15 minutes of action.
“I carry the Zambian flag high wherever I go so people will know and admire the hard working people of Zambia,” Mulenga said.
“So I wish the national team all the success.”
Posted by
KEO
March 19, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Big up jacob its true staying fit n being in the top form z what keeps the player to be in top stardand,following advice from the doc z the best thing anyone can do
1200
March 19, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Your value to current
Zambian soccer is minimal, improve or remain where you are.
Cycle Mata
March 19, 2013 at 2:12 pm
this guy is truly a patriotic zedian….impressive
Unwind maini
March 19, 2013 at 4:43 pm
This boy is finished.
Daeve
March 19, 2013 at 6:38 pm
We won de 2012 edition without him. let him continue scoring @ his club.
EDGER
March 20, 2013 at 10:17 am
jacob is still good it just matter of time
lets see.
March 20, 2013 at 10:24 am
chiipuba!! what kind of a footballer is he? all he is waiting for is for his friends to qualify and then he just comes to play at the world cup. this time Jacob, when we qualify, we would rather have Mayuka and Mbesuma squander chances through out the 90 mins than have him sneak in only when things are ok.
SHIMWANA
March 22, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Plastic pitch
Ndate
March 26, 2013 at 11:18 am
Ba lets see kwena eeeh,when did you start followingzabian football?If not for injuries,Jacob has always been patriotic to zambia and always comes when called upon
YASHANI MWAICE
April 17, 2013 at 4:32 pm
jacob has premonitions, its normal, once beaten twice ku zaala bakaamba