Stophira Sunzu is set to make his Zanaco debut this weekend in a week 6 game away to Roan United after returning from a controversial trial spell in Tunisia.
The Zambia junior international midfielder finally joined Zanaco last Monday where is has been loaned to from Afrisports for this season.
This is just days after returning from Tunisia where he had been holed up since December with top-flight team Avenir Sportif de La Marsa.
Zanaco coach Wesley Mondo said he was delighted to finally have Sunzu in the team after a protracted struggle by Afrisports to get their player back whom they claimed had gone for trials at La Marsa illegally.
“He (Sunzu) has been couldn’t play against Rangers because he his match fitness was not up to scratch but he will play this weekend (away to Roan United),” Mondo said.
“He joined us last Monday and starting training with us the next day on Tuesday.”
Afrisports chief executive officer Gabriel Kaunda said today that Sunzu would stay at Zanaco until June when he is expected to leave for a prospective trial spell
at French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennes who already have Felix Katongo on their roaster.
“We are yet to get an invitation letter but it (The club) should be Rennes,” Kaunda said today.
The teenage midfielder rose to prominence with the Under-23 team before being included in the Under-20 side for Zambia’s Fifa World Youth Cup in Canada last year where George Lwandamina’s team reached the last 16.
Sunzu made his name at Afrisports in 2005 as a 16 year old when he replaced Patrick Kasunga in that defensive midfield role after the club snatched him first an apprentice from Konkola Blades before moving back to his childhood club last season.
Pictures of Kalaba in Portugal
Rainford Kalaba displaying his Sporting Braga shirt flanked by Afrisports CEO Gabriel Kaunda
Kalaba, Kaunda and Sporting Braga officials putting pen to paper to the Zambia midfielders five-year deal with the Portugese Superliga team.
Pictures courtesy of Afrisports FC.
2009 CAF AFRICA NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
Preliminary Round, Return Leg
12/04/2008
Woodlands Stadium
Zambia 3 (Roger Kola 19, Emmanuel Mayuka 71″, Kennedy Mudenda 81″)- Swaziland 0
FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE
13/04/2008
Week 5
Konkola Blades 0-Lusaka Dynamos 0
Zesco United 4(Lottie Phiri 4″ 46″, Allen Chibwe 49″, Maybin Mwaba 64″)-Green Eagles 1 (Obrey Zulu 75″)
Nkana 1 (Ronald Sakapaji 85″)-Chambishi 0
Kabwe Warriors 3(Metuselah Chipupu , Siloni Jere, Emmanuel Mayuka)-Power Dynamos 1(Francis Kombe)
Green Buffaloes 0- Young Arrows 1(Chiwanki Liyianga 35″)
Red Arrows 2(Namez Macha 70″, Lawrence Pondani 90″ )-Roan United 0
Zanaco 1 (Nasha Kaya 18″ pen)- Nchanga Rangers 0
Nkwazi 0- City of Lusaka 1(Ian Bakala 70″)
After games Played 13/04/2008
LEAGUE & CUP:
Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 4
Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes):3
Morgan Hanjeema (Green Buffalkoes): 3
Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 2
Lottie Phiri (Zesco United): 2
Mathew Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 2
Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes): 2
William Njobvu (Lusaka Dynamos): 2
Wilson Mutupa (Green Buffaloes): 2
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 2
FAZ DIVISION 1
WEEK 6
13/04/2008
NORTH
Mining Rangers 1 Forest Rangers 0
Muchindu 0 Mufulira Wanderers 0
Mufulira Blackpool 0 Afrisports 1
Zamtel 1 Chindwin 0
Ndola United 0 Medical Stars 0
Lime Hotspur 0 Kitwe United 0
Indeni 1 Tazara Express 1
Prison Leopards 2 Kalewa 1
SOUTH
Riflemen 3- Chilanga Heroes 0
Petauke United 2- Kambuku 1
Lusaka Tigers 0- Mazabuka United 0
Profund Warriors 0- Lusaka Celtic 1
Young Green Eagles 0- National Assembly 1
Kalomo Jetters 1- Young Buffaloes 0
Nampundwe 0- Lusaka Celtic 0
Zamcoal Diggers 1- Builders Brigade 2
Its like this Kaunda and Afrisports has that eye for talent, look at players from afrisports-jacob mulenga, rainford Kalaba, stophira Nsunzu, Felix Nsunzu, Ignatius Lwipa. gabriel is really super agent.
Kalaba: Getting to Portugal is one thing and making sure you stay in the team and feature regularly is another.Work had my boy.I am proud of you.And congrats to AfriSport for proving yo worth.
We should have more of the Gabriel Kaundas in Zambia.But my advise is that they should also groom defenders and defenisve midfielders. We are seriously lacking in these departments.Otherwise keep it up.
its good for kalaba and zambian football,congrats but work on your (discipline)
Yeep. Big Up to the guys at Afrisports.Though Kemps #3 is right we lacking behind in the defense. If we can one or two guys in the calibre of Estone(Yellowman)Mulenga,Samuel Chomba or Kapambwe Mulenga then we would be fine as a team.I feel Francis Kasonde (Power Dynamoes)needs to be encouraged more as a Defensive Midfielder for the National team.He has a lot of potential.Good luck to Rainford.
its good for kalaba and zambian football,congrats but work on your (kalaba)discipline both on the pitch nd outside
Will Kalaba going to change now that he’s gone to Europe ? i konka with jb
katongo scores with a left foot for the winner at brondby over the weedend.it was a hard bullet within the penalty box to grab the winner.check this on you tube.Hope other players can emulate him
Put the link here
I agree with you guys about defenders… One thing i notice from these news reports, is that defensive efforts and the like mostly go unsung. To the guys who write these articles and reports, please make more effort to acknowledge good performances in defense.
Congratulations Afrisports’ Gabriel and Kalaba. The late Moses “Ba coach” Simwala and Jeff Butler always hunted for new blood in the compounds and beyond. This is why Nkana had such talent. Gabriel has emulated them and I am glad that investing in the youth has paid off for them. Zambia and other clubs should learn from Gabriel. Congratulations once again.
Too many ba Mr. excited for nothing apa
Katongo 2 goals April 5:
youtube dot com/watch?v=uPTnouHpEu0&feature=related
Katongo 2 goal April 9:
youtube dot com/watch?v=Ub8Jj0vgfWw&feature=related
Cerebration: “Chris Katongo wole!” April 11:
youtube dot com/watch?v=F7kZsuJ-jWM
EfB 3-2 Brondby Superb Katongo goal. Link added on March 13, 2008:
youtube dot com/watch?v=WPfHF8rxKaI
Green Buffaloes 0-2 Zesco United Nicholas Zulu 52” Rainford Kalaba 88” Portugal bound Rainford Kalaba came off the bench to inspire defending Champions Zesco United to a sweet victory over arch-rivals Green Buffaloes at Lusaka’s Woodlands Stadium this afternoon(Wednesday). Kalaba scored the second for ‘Zescolo’ with two minutes to go to propel ‘Team Ya Ziko’ to the top of the 2008 KCM/FAZ Premier League summit after week 5.
Collins Mbesuma
The British press once dubbed him ‘the African hurricane’ and in South Africa they called him ‘Ntofo Ntofo’ – a not too complimentary reference to his bulky frame. However, there is no doubt that Zambia’s Collins Mbesuma stormed South Africa’s footballing scene unlike any other player of the last decade. He set new standards in front of goal but more importantly, propelled his club Kaizer Chiefs to a second successive premier league title.
That did not look possible for a few months but Mbesuma’s goal scoring spree ensured Chiefs their title, including a hatrick on the opening match of the season against Dynamos and another hatrick past former Bafana Bafana and Fulham
Collins Mbesuma
The British press once dubbed him ‘the African hurricane’ and in South Africa they called him ‘Ntofo Ntofo’ – a not too complimentary reference to his bulky frame. However, there is no doubt that Zambia’s Collins Mbesuma stormed South Africa’s footballing scene unlike any other player of the last decade. He set new standards in front of goal but more importantly, propelled his club Kaizer Chiefs to a second successive premier league title.
That did not look possible for a few months but Mbesuma’s goal scoring spree ensured Chiefs their title, including a hatrick on the opening match of the season against Dynamos and another hatrick past former Bafana Bafana and Fulham
Eve Thanks for the result on #15.I feel this year it won’t be a one way for the KCM/FAZ Premier League like last year with Zesco.It will be close come end of the year.
Why talk about former golden boy? He is completely finished.
i BET MY MONEY ON ZANACO, ZECO AND KABWE WARRIOR IN WINNING THE LEAGUE. ZANACO IS ZAMBIA B AS UUAL WITH YOUNG, TALENTED AND HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS PLAYER. UNDERSTAND ELIJA TANA HAD A TORRID TIME CONTAINING RODGER KOLA.
AM SEEING THIS TODAY THANKS PEOPLE GABRIEL KAUNDA