BRIGHTON star Enock Mwepu has been sent home from international duty with Zambia after being rushed to hospital in Mali.
And the Seagulls midfielder has claimed he cannot reveal “what really happened” to cause him to fall ill.
The 24-year-old was hospitalised for four days after feeling unwell when he arrived for two friendlies in Bamako, Mali’s capital.
He is now a doubt for new boss Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as manager this weekend.
Leicester striker Patson Daka was also taken to hospital after falling ill, but the 23-year-old is now recovering in the team hotel.
Brighton ace Mwepu though has flown back to the UK for “further treatment”.
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The midfielder, who captains his national side, was unable to train after arriving in Mali for the first friendly, which Zambia lost 1-0.
He was rushed to hospital soon and spent four days undergoing tests, before being discharged on Sunday.
Zambian team doctor Wesley Ngongo told the Zambian FA’s YouTube channel: “Enoch got ill as soon as he got into the country.
“When we got here, we assessed him and we felt he needed to go to the hospital so we took him to hospital.
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“Due to the severity of the condition, he was admitted for further tests and further evaluation. He was discharged from the hospital [on Sunday] because he felt better.
“However he needs further treatment and evaluation as quickly as possible so he’s been allowed to travel back to the UK.”
Zambia face Mali again in another friendly this evening, but will be without Mwepu and Daka.
Skipper Mwepu hit out at Zambia fans on Instagram, accusing them of abusing him and Daka for not playing the games.
He wrote: “My Inability to play in the two international friendly games against Mali in Bamako, after failing ill has raised a lot of tension among our own fans.
“When the football association of Zambia @Faz announced that I won’t participate in the two friendly game with Patson Daka who unfortunately felt ill too, a lot of things were said by our own respected fans that was mainly based on hate, abuse and jealous…
“I am saddened and worried as the Captain for the National team following such bad reactions and comments towards your own players…..
“We travelled to Bamako firmly focused on honouring the call up as it is always an honour and a big privilege to represent the National team..”
Mwepu said doctors cannot disclose why he spent so long in hospital.
He added: “Nevertheless, we couldn’t play because of the seriousness of the situation (illness) which led me [to] spend at least 3-4 days in Hospital in Bamako of which the doctors cant disclose everything in details to what really happened..
“I just want to let the fans know that, as much as you all want myself or Patson or any other player you want to play for the National team, They are things that are more important than football especially were Healthy and family is concerned..”
Daka was initially able to train before falling unwell and being taken to hospital, with Ngongo saying: “Patson initially was well, and he actually did participate in the earlier training sessions.
“However after that he also got ill, and we assessed him, we also decided to take him to the hospital.
“And at the hospital further tests were done and a diagnosis was made, and he was put on treatment. Fortunately for him he is with us at the hotel, but he is not well enough to play.”
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Ngongo did not reveal Daka’s diagnosis.
It’s currently unknown whether Mwepu will be fit for Brighton’s trip to Liverpool on Saturday, or if Daka will be able to play when Leicester host Nottingham Forest next Monday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
