Former Chipolopolo midfielder Clifford Mulenga has officially hung his boots following a lengthy career.
The 2007 CAF young player of the year took to social media to announce the development.
Mulenga spent Majority of his career in South Africa playing for University of Pretoria, Mpulanga Black Aces, Bloemfontein Celtic, Ajax Cape Town, Supersport United, Moroka Swallows, Mbombela United, Jomo Cosmos among others.
After his return to Zambia he played for ZESCO United and later Forest Rangers until the end of last season.
Mulenga, 36 was named as the Forest Rangers player of the year for the 2021/2022 season.
He managed to create magic out of some of Fole Malembe’s toughest encounters last season, for that and the 11 goals, he was undoubtedly the only clear candidate for player of the year accolade.
At National Team level, Mulenga emerged on the scene in 2005 at the Cosafa Under-20 where they tormented opposition defenders with Rainford Kalaba.
It was during this period that Mulenga, Kalaba and Felix Katongo were drafted into the Chipolopolo set up.
While Kalaba and Felix Katongo went on to light up the stage at three African Cup of Nations -2008, 2010 and 2012- Mulenga became a fringe player.
His last involvement with the national team was in 2012.
Between 2004 and 2022, Mulenga featured for 15 different clubs, mainly South African.
BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT
FOOTBALL STAYS WINNING.
Chiparamba Great Eagles Academy. Nenani Banda. Albert Mpande. Robin Munsaka. Nowell Phiri.
University of Pretoria (TUKS Academy) Steve Haupt.
Orygyte IS (Sweden)
Wits University FC (Rodger De Sa)
Mpumalanga Black Aces FC (Sammy Throughton)
Thanda Royal Zulu FC (Professor Ngubane)
Bloemfontein Celtics FC (Jimmy Augusti, Clinton Larsen)
Supersport United FC ( Gavin Hunt)
Ajax Cape Town FC (Rodger De Sa)
ZESCO UNITED FC (George Chicken Lwandamina, Justin Mumba)
Moroka Swallows FC.
Mbombela United FC.
Jomo Cosmos FC (Jono Black Prince Sono)
Forest Rangers FC (Tenant Chilumba, Happy Sichikolo, Tenant Chembo, Owen Kaposa, Muyunda Super Wakunguma).
Zambia National Team U17 (Simata Sims Simataa, Mr Kashimoto)
Zambia National Team U20 ( George Chicken Lwandamina, Oswald Mutapa)
Zambia National Team U23 (Peter Abaleya Kaumba)
Zambia Senior National Team (Kalusah Bwalya, Herve Renard, Ben Bamfuchile, Patrick Phiri)
And so many more.
It is here that I express my gratitude for the amazing time I had in my football career and it is here I say bye to the beautiful game on the pitch.
I always knew this moment would come.
Thank you very much to everyone I met and interacted with over the years through football on and off the pitch.
I also want to thank my parents and siblings for the amazing support system provided. You have been really amazing 😍.
To the curious minds I will marry soon 😂😂😂😂. I’m working on it.
The journey continues off the pitch.
