September 21, 2007
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Jacob Mulenga
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His local critics are now convinced by his potential after being sceptical about his qualities. His focus and all-round teamwork has won the hearts of many with attributes rarely seen in the league in recent times.
By the time he was 20 years old, the powerful striker had already represented Zambia at all levels. Jacob was a member of famous under-17 and 20 that included Rainford Kalaba, Clifford Mulenga, Felix Katongo, Davies Nkausu and Ignatius Lwipa.
He has been also capped four times at under-23 level were he scored two goals in the 2004 Athens Olympic qualifiers as Peter Kaumba side narrowly missed out on qualification to Ghana.
In the 2003 the energetic and pacey striker alongside Kalaba and Lwipa, guided the then division one side Afrisport to promotion into Zambia’s premier league as the Kitwe born scored an incredible 32 goals.
At start of the new Zambian 2004 premier season in April, the 19 year scored four goals in three games and this led to the then national team coach, Kalusha Bwalya to give him his debut against Togo in May 2004.
Kalusha took many soccer fans by surprise as he gave him a starting berth in a 2006 world cup qualifier against the Emmanuel Adebayor led Togo. But the Afro-headed justified his selection by scoring the only goal of the game.
A month later, he scored an acrobatic bicycle kick against Mauritius in a Cosafa castle cup match.
The Zambian hitman made one of the biggest transitions on any Zambian player from the lower ranks of Zambian league straight into the European league.
Jacob became the second Zambian player to break into the French league at any level since midfield genius Andrew Tembo had a brief spell at Olympique de Marseille in 1994.In December 2003, Jacob together with Collins Mbesuma attended trials at French ligue 1 side Stade Rennais but was unsuccessful.
During the summer of 2004, Mulenga with Billy Mwanza had a 3 week long trial with another French side Bastia but again that fell. Bastia’s loss was to be Chateauroux gain as he signed a four year deal in 2004.
In the 2004/05, Mulenga had an injury plagued season as he only made 17 appearances and scored five goals. In the 2005/06 he scored six goals in 25 games and he made 27 appearances in next season scoring 7 goals.
After an impressive campaign with Chateauroux, Mulenga signed for then French ligue 1 side Racing Strasbourg on a seasonal loan in August 2007.
The former Afrisports talisman has become a vital member of the Chipolopolo boys though he missed the 2006 African cup of Nations through injury.
After a year absence, Jacob was recalled to the squad in 2007 and he did not disappoint the fans as he scored the first goal and had a hand in the other two.
Mulenga was part of the Chipolopolo Boys’ squad that whitewashed Bafana Bafana in September.
With Collins Mbesuma ruled out through injury and Chris Katongo suspended for the first match against Sudan at the Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations, Mulenga steered headed the Zambian attack together with James Chamanga.
Both Chamanga and Mulenga scored as the Chipolopolo Boys’s thrashed Sudan 3-0.
With the demotion of Strasbourg back to ligue 1, Mulenga returned to Berrichonne Chateauroux.
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