Height: 1.86m

Weight: 80 kg

Position: Attacker

Previous clubs: Afrissport Zambia Kitwe (ZAM), Chateauroux (FRA)

Current club: Racing Strasbourg (FRA)Zambia’s only export in the French ligue 1, Jacob Mulenga showed why many soccer pundits believe that he can be the next Didier Drogba. Against the Brazilian coached South Africa, Mulenga showed both tactical and technical brilliance. The Racing Strasbourg lanky striker was very strong in the air and on the ground just like Drogba. The tallest striker in the Chipolopolo squad can learn something from the African monster, Drogba. Drogba also played in the French ligue 2( alongside Florent Malouda) before he moved to French giants Marseille were he played with Mido then Chelsea. Drogba moved to Chelsea at 26 years and it had to take him two years before he started to bang in the goals for both club and country Mulenga’s path is quite similar to that of his mentor, he started his French adventure at ligue 2 side château roux were he scored 18 goals in 69 appearances for the club. At national, Mulenga is the youngest of the trio strikers coach Patrick Phiri has been using in Zambia’s recent games alongside collins mbesuma and chris katongo. Early in the 2007/08 season the kitwe born forward sighed for a ligue 1 side, Racing Strasbourg were he will be rubbing shoulders exchanging jerseys with the likes of Djibril Cisse, Nasri , Boro Zenden(all marseile) and Lyon players such as Benzema, Juninho, Fred, Wiltold and Sidney Govou. After passing his medical with Strasbourg, Mulenga had an exclusive interview with the cub’s website and this is how it went.

For me, it is a great progression to join such a club. That made four years that I evolved/moved in League 2 and I wanted to discover the high-level. I feel that I will be able to progress at Strasbourg.Are you surprised to join Racing?

It is true that at the time when I had the leaders of the club on line, I was surprised. I did not expect that a club of League 1 status to contact me this year. I had a good season with Chateauroux, with 7 marked goals and I hoped for a phone call secretly. When Strasbourg called, I could not say no.Doesn’t competition with Renteria,and Gameiro frighten you?

No, that does not worry me. Competition makes it possible, precisely, to progress. It will be up to me to make the efforts to bring myself to the level and to postulate in a place in the group. I know that I will have to work hard to be in the starting line up.

I like to only evolve/move points some and to take the depth. Moreover, the system of current play of the team is appropriate to me well, I think.“Racing is impressive”

My objectives are before any collectives. If the team behaves well and plays well, it will be good for me. On my side, I will work a maximum and will progress. To play will be my reward.

Frankly, it is impressive. Normally, while coming from League 2, one promoted always encounters some difficulties at the beginning of course, time to go back to the level. I saw the match against Auxerre and I was in the platforms for the victory vis-a-vis Lens. One feels a great cohesion in this team.