Exclusive interview: Mayuka on life in Israel
Emmanuel Mayuka dreams about playing for “Manchester United” . Mayuka who turned 18 on November 17, 2008 finally made his league debut for Maccabi Tev Aviv on Saturday. Below the Zambianfootball.net has edited and translated Mayuka’s interview carried in one of the Israeli tabloids on Monday.
Emmanuel, tell a little about yourself, who you are?
“I’m 18 years old, born in Zambia in Africa. My family live in capital city, Lusaka. My father died when I was 8 years. I grew up with my mother (Arakan Barracks), trying to fulfil my dream and be footballer. Football engraved in the heart of my Soul since I can remember.”
Mayuka finally made his league debut in Europe. Above the teenage sensation failed to score in Maccabi Tev Aviv goalless stalemate against Beitar Jerusalem on Saturday.
How old are you playing football? And which clubs?
“I started playing soccer at an academy (Mpanza Chiefs) at the age of 11. At the age of 16 years old, I joined Kabwe Warriors, which is one of the biggest clubs in Zambia. I was playing there before I joined Macabi Tev Aviv.
From there I got to play selected in the Zambia national under-20 team and went to Canada World Championship. I have also featured for the senior national team and made over 15 international caps.
How did your find yourself Israel?
“My Israeli agent (Nir Karin), introduced me to the Israeli League. Dream was always to go out and play in other countries as for now Israel is the appropriate stepping stone for me on my way to one of the largest leagues in Europe. Of course, after I came here I will have to work hard at Maccabi Tel Aviv to achieve my goal”.
What is your impression the Israeli League ? What were you thinking about the Israeli League before you came?
“I thought the game are played at slow pace before I came here. Actually, I discovered that when I got here that the league is difficult, competitive and professional than what many (back home) think. It is also technically good.
On Maccabi Tev Aviv
“Great club, very good to me here. This is one of the largest club in Israel, I respect that and we have to work hard to restore the natural place “.
What can you tell us about the Zambia National soccer team?
“We have a good national team, with players who play Germany , France, Sweden, Portugal and so on.
We won our group in the previous round and in the next round for 2010 the world championship in South Africa we will face Egypt, Algeria Rwanda. If we can play as a team then we have a good chance of qualifying for the finals.”
Tell us a little about Zambia and the League club from which you came, Kabwe Warriors.
“The Zambian league is entirely different, much more aggressive, physical, football there as fast and technical. There are 16 teams in the league and Kabwe Warriors are third placed on the log.”
Personally, what next? What’s your dream? What are your ambitions?
“For me, the big dream is to play at the World Cup and hopefully I will be selected. I personally hope to achieve something that will allow me to help my family, my mother, sisters and brothers that currently is my responsibility. I believe I can do that through hard work, which is the only key to success”.
Which team do you support?
“Since childhood, I have been a fan of Manchester United and maybe with hard work one day play there. My most favourite player is Samuel Eto because of the way he plays. I have a lot to learn to achieve Eto has done so far”.
How is Israel so far?
“I feel good and safe here, it’s like a second home for me. The Climate is okay and I’m comfortable, nice people, very good to me here.
All members of the team are fun to me with everyone. The free time I usually spend with Dole Johnson and 3 guys from the youth especially. ”
At the beginning of the season, the team lacked firepower upfront and maybe you are the solution?
“Eshakni attack in a group that just a matter of time to know each other, get used to each other והגולים will come of them, that has excellent links here çìåöéí very high quality. For me, that’s great to be part of this kind I wish I could help”.
How does it feel to finally make your senior debut against Beitar Jerusalem last Saturday?
“There is no fear, fulfilling a dream. Several weeks after I arrived I spent time playing for the youth team and suddenly I was called upon.
What do you do before games?
“I like listening to music before and pray to God every day to help me succeed to the club”.
If you were not footballer …
“I always liked engineering, mechanics. But deserted it, football is my life and I do not see myself without football, I do not think about it now when it part of me”.
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Good luck, son!
this sounds good and hope the young man will achieve his dream,this boy was still in school wen he left has he finished or hes decided to stop.am sure he shud have taken advantage of isreal which has high stadarnds of education especially in the field of engineering, mechanics.however good luck and make zambia pround
wish u all the best mayuka.
Go for it Mayuka. You will be great.
Good luck. With determination and dedication you will surely go places.
Perseverance and determination always yield good fruit. Its sad that these days when you tell youngsters that it will only come through via hard work it sounds like a cliché cause so many people tell them the same thing so it just sounds like a repeat statement or scratched record.
But the thing is, only hard work bears the desired fruit, there is no easy way out. Keep at it Mayuka and never let the spirit of perseverance to grow in your career die.
All the best. Georgia Russia yes i think this boy was in Grade 11 or something i hope he still finds time for his school.
This boy is the future of Zambian football alongside clifford Mulenga. He just needs to remain disciplined and work harder. He will go places
Good for the boy and the country. I wonder what is happening with the Mpanza chief academy where Mayuka came from. If the academy is still in existence, Mayuka should remember them always as he climbs the “soccer tree.” Good luck!!
Mayuka:”Personally, what next? What’s your dream? What are your ambitions?
“For me, the big dream is to play at the World Cup and hopefully I will be selected. I personally hope to achieve something that will allow me to help my family, my mother, sisters and brothers that currently is my responsibility”.
The Question is ;Was Kabwe Warriors going to give him the money that would enable him support his Family with the current hardship in Zambia?
I think an 18 year old supporting a family is a massive load to put on a teenagers shoulders regardless if he is/was making money or not. An eighteen year old should not be carrying such a heavy responsibility in any case. Sad reality is that our countries situation casues a lot of youngsters to carry this load.
I hope this boy didn’t dump school.
Mayuka is not 18 years,he is 22.you can cheat some but not all,i wish you all the best even if you are practicing age cheating because its a tradition of most africans but nature will soon catch up with you,,
Good luck with your dreams.
Guys the boy said he ditched his engineering aspirations; football is my life he says. It’s so sad that football is not really a profession in our country for obvious reasons. I hope he will work hard enough with his dream and be able to fend for his family
Mayuka and Clifford seem to be smart boys and well spoken. Ba Big Steve, the boy has to support his familiy, its like that in Zed, we all were supported by parents, sisters, brothers. My parents dead when I was in G12, my sister and brother in law supported me all the way to college and even give me bucks to come to Namibia, 10 years ago.
All the best young man.
All the best MAyuka, though u are cheating on age. Remember, we met in Choma when you were suposed to report in camp for under 20 outing mauritious, you cheated that you were attending to family funeral, but i found you careless drunk. I told you, football is a sport and require alot of displine, and hard work. Beer is a beverage, you can take but require to be taken with alot of care. Remember, Litana, Wawa and so many zambians who were suposed to be world stars at their time, but alas, most of them we met in bars today, finished.
Be careful boy
Emma,as a MAN UTD fan seeing you at Old Trafford can be a great thing.If Manucho from Angola has done it,you can also do it if only you stay focused & keep yourself in shape.The sky should be the limit my boy
Taj can you prove to us that Mayuka is 22 yrs?
All the best