At only 24, Enock Mwepu’s budding career had to give way due to a hereditary heart condition. The announcement made on Monday, elicited outpouring for the former Brighton and Hove Albion and Zambia midfielder from across the world.”Enock “Computer” Mwepu is down but not out. We know that you will assist in inspiring new players who will follow in your footsteps. All the best as you start the next chapter of your life,” Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said.Gor Mahia boss Ambrose Rachier unbothered with death rumours”Stay strong, Enock Mwepu,” former Harambee Stars skipper, Victor Wanyama, posted on Facebook.Elite sport is quite demanding. To deliver at the highest level, an athlete is required to be very healthy and fit as fiddle. They undergo regular checks to detect any health conditions that may hamper their performance or endanger their lives.Unfortunately, some conditions are never detected in time leading to severe consequences like permanent deformities or death. Some are, however, unearthed in time and corrected. In 2019, former Newcastle United and Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiotè collapsed and died in training in China.pic.twitter.com/UKiubJaJtB— Enock Mwepu (@EnockMwepu45) October 10, 2022 Ex-Manchester City and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions’ midfielder, Marc-Vivien Foé collapsed and died during a Confederations Cup match against Colombia in Lyon, France in 2003.Nwankwo Kanu, the captain of the Nigeria’s Super Eagles 1996 Olympic winning team and former Arsenal player, returned to the field after two successful heart surgeries.For Mwepu, however, he joins a growing list of players who have been forced to abandon their careers at the apex due to health reasons. He becomes the second sportsman to call his career in just a month for medical reasons after French rugby player Virimi Vakatawa.At 33, Sergio Aguero had already seen out most of his career, winning multiple trophies and becoming one of the greatest Premier League goal scorers while playing for Manchester City.But he still had ambitions to fulfil at Barcelona when forced into retirement in December 2021, following the diagnosis of a heart condition.One of the most recent tragedies in football saw the immensely talented Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri collapse to the ground during a friendly match.Get ready to be surprised by youngsters – Gor Mahia coach reiteratesA product of Ajax’s youth academy, Nouri stood out among his peers, and was dubbed the next big thing to come out of the famed academy. The former Netherlands U21 international was also awarded the 2016-17 Player of the Season award for his performances for Ajax’s reserve side. He made his senior-team debut that same season, and earned first-team promotion for the 2017-18 campaign.However, in a preseason friendly ahead of the 2017-18 season, Nouri collapsed on the pitch against Werder Bremen. The 24-year old was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, but his condition seemed to be stable. However, five days following the incident, Ajax announced that the youngster had suffered severe and permanent brain damage. He was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).After nearly three years, Nouri woke up from his coma, and is now able to communicate, but football lost another gem. Fabrice Muamba’s tragic cardiac arrest in the middle of a FA Cup quarter-final game is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in football. ##NAJAVA_MECA_22120##The tragic incident occurred on the 17th of March, 2012, during a FA Cup quarter-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur.Muamba had suffered cardiac arrest, and later reports revealed that his heart stopped beating for 78 minutes. After spending almost a month in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), he was discharged from hospital.
