Sunzu wins kudos from Beaumelle

CHIPOLOPOLO coach Patrice Beaumelle has said Zambia soccer team defender Stopilla Sunzu has the attributes that can make him become a world class player.
Speaking yesterday, Beaumelle said he was happy with the progress Sunzu had made since joining French Ligue 1 struggling side, FC Sochaux where he had scored two goals on top of commanding a first team place.
Beaumelle said he had no doubt that Sunzu had the attributes needed for one to become a world class player adding that his strength together with Nathan Sinkala and Emmanuel Mayuka will help save Sochaux from relegation.
“I have no doubt that with time Sunzu will move to one of the best clubs in Europe because he has all the attributes needed for a world class player. It is good for a player to play in a foreign league because they are able to play competitive football and also enjoy the professionalism that comes with it,” he said.
Beaumelle said Sochaux should be a stepping stone in Sunzu’s playing career adding that Zambia had a lot of players abroad but only a few were able to play competitively.
He said playing competitive football in the foreign league becomes beneficial to the national team because the players add value to system of play.

Beaumelle said he was  in constant contact with the foreign players because he wants the best out of them. He said time should come when players should be playing for big sides in Europe citing an example of Chisamba Lungu, whom he said had potential to move to a big club.
Meanwhile, Beaumelle said the national team camping gets underway on February 23, comprising local players ahead of the international friendly match on March 5.
He said the camping will involve players that had featured for the COSAFA and CECAFA Senior Challenge Cups unlike the earlier one he had summoned that included new players.
“This camp will involve local players that have featured in the COSAFA and CECAFA tournaments because I want to pick a team that will play the international friendly match unlike the previous training session where I wanted to look at some new players,” he said.
Beaumelle said the foreign based players would join camp about five days before the match against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
And Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) general secretary George Kasengele said in a separate interview that negotiations with possible opponents were still on-going.
Kasengele could not name the possible countries FAZ was courting for the match but could only say that the association was almost finalising the deal.

Times of Zambia