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CHIPOLOPOLO striker Emmanuel Mayuka completed a late move from English Premiership side, Southampton, to join French League Two side Metz on a permanent deal.
Mayuka, who was linked with moves to Russian giants Spartak Moscow, signed a three-year contract with leaders Metz on Monday night after an undisclosed fee was agreed between the two sides.
The former Kabwe Warriors striker joined Southampton in 2012 from Young Boys for a fee around £3 million after his impressive showing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Former Chipolopolo coach Honour Janza has advised Mayuka to stay focused as he begins a new journey with Metz.
Janza said in an interview that it was good that Mayuka has joined a team where he will be able to play football on a regular basis.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) technical director said what was important for Mayuka was to be active and continue developing his career as player.
“What is important is for Mayuka to be active as he is still young and has a lot of life in his football career. Mayuka has to test deep waters and that must give him a big mileage to bounce back to the top of his career.
He has what it takes to be a top player in the world again, he is still a young player who can easily get back to the top of his career in no time,” he said.
Mayuka last played for the national team at the 2015 AFCON finals where he sustained an injury and struggled to win first team place for the Chipolopolo, with the latest being the 2017 AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau which he watched from the bench.
“Mayuka still has the strength, speed, endurance and potential to succeed. He is still in the right frame of mind and I am confident this move will help him get back to his best,” he said.
Mayuka featured in 16 Premier League matches for the Saint Mary’s outfit since moving to England in 2012.
He made his debut against Manchester United on September 2, 2012, but missed action for Southampton with a groin injury in the last five months of the 2014/15 English Premier League season.
Mayuka, who spent the 2013/2014 season on loan at Sochaux in France, was also left out of the Southampton pre-season tour of Austria and Holland with manager Ronald Koeman, saying the player was not in his plans for the 2015/16 season.
TimesofZambia
