Lungu wants another chance in football
Former Flames striker Grant Lungu says he is going through rehabilitation ahead of the relaunch of his football career at Big Bullets next season.
The 27-year-old told Nation on Sunday during the week that he is now a changed person who is serious with his life.
Lungu, who is regarded as one of the most gifted footballers Malawi has produced in recent years, was fired from South African Premier League side Black Leopards six months before the expiry of his contract in 2011 due to poor form.
He returned to Bullets where he got the chop on disciplinary grounds.
“I went through a rehabilitation process. I have changed the kind of friends I used to have and I have stopped drinking beer recklessly. I am spending most of my time exercising in the gym.
“I am still young and want to relaunch my career at Bullets next season,” said the Machinjiri resident.
He said he has now recuperated from a knee injury he sustained when he recently played for Mozambican second division side Deportivo Nikanyera.
The 2001 MBC Entertainers of the Year Footballer of the Year runner-up said he decided to seriously reposition his life after he noted a Facebook posting from Leopards FC chairperson David Thidiela, which assured him that his place will be available if he restarts his career in the Super League.
“Thidiela said I would be considered back into the Leopards squad if I play well in the next Super League season. Although a number of Super League clubs have already shown interest in me, I would like to relaunch my career at Bullets,” said Lungu.
Lungu’s former Leopards teammate Robert Ng’ambi, who once shared a house with him in South Africa, said he would be happy to see his friend back on South African pitches.
“He is a very talented player only that he had not been serious with his lifestyle. Nowadays, talent and discipline are inseparable prerequisites in soccer,” said Ng’ambi, who recently won several individual accolades with South Africa team Platinum Stars.
Grant, nephew to former Bullets star Mabvuto Lungu, was first spotted at the age of 14 in 2000 at Ndirande Community Day Secondary School in the Copa Coca-Cola competition, by former junior Flames trainer the late Dave Mpesi. He played for the junior Flames for several months before joining the defunct MDC United the same year. He joined Big Bullets in 2001.
