Zambia defender Stoppila Sunzu joins Lille on loan

Zambia international defender, Stoppila Sunzu, has joined French Ligue 1 side Lille on loan from China’s Shanghai Shenhua.

The 26-year-old will team up with coach Herve Renard for the third time having played under the Frenchman for Zambia and French side Sochaux.

“This is very good news for me to join a club like Lille,” Sunzu said.

“I’ve known Herve Renard for a long time; his presence was an important element in my decision to commit myself to Lille. He is like a father to me.”

Renard and Sunzu enjoyed international success in 2012 when Zambia won the Africa Cup of Nations title, with the defender scoring the winning spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out victory over Cote d’Ivoire in the final.

And Renard is delighted with the capture of Sunzu saying it’s a plus for the French side which also have Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in their books.

“Stoppila Sunzu is a very athletic defender; he also has the ability to go fast. This is a player who has many qualities, but can sometimes still lack a bit of maturity. He needs to be steered and that will happen playing with Renato Civelli or Marko Basa,” Renard told Lille website.

“During the African Nations Cup won with Zambia in 2012, he was our rock. Without him, it would have been difficult to achieve the final victory. His signing is a plus for our team.”