Zambian defender Stopilla Sunzu gave a stellar performance at the back in Metz’s 2-1 French Ligue 2 win over his former side Chateauroux on Friday night.
The 29 year old who spent a season at Chateauroux one loan nine years ago, returned to the club who deemed him not good him.
After impressing in midfield for George Lwandamina’s class of ’07 Zambia under-20 at the World Youth Championship in Canada, the Chililabombwe born became one of the sought after teenagers in the World.
In Canada, Sunzu outplayed a Uruguay side that featured the likes of Luis Suarez and Edson Cavani in attack and performance saw him attend trials in Eastern Europe as well as then English Premier League side Reading but unfortunately a deal could not materialise.
It was the French Ligue 2 side Chateauroux that gave him the then Afrisport midfielder a taste of European football.
At the point, Chateauroux had three Zambians on their roster. While Jacob Mulenga excelled, Sunzu and Felix Katongo were offloaded and returned to Afrisport and Stade Rennes respectively after their loan spell expired.
Fast track to Friday night, Sunzu returned with table topping Metz and the Zambian legend backed his creditials with a fine performance.
The 2-1 win saw Metz maintain their lead at the summit of the French Ligue 2 table with 31 points from 14 games.
Sunzu has already made 13 appearances with a return of a goal.
The former Sochaux and Lille defender has won the African Cup of Nations title, CAF Champions League title with TP Mazembe and featured in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
He has won league titles in Congo and Zambia.
Across in Belgium, Fashion Sakala was introduced in the 87th minute in KVO Oostende’s 2-0 away defeat to Royal Antwerp in the Pro Jupiter Belgian top tier game on Friday night.
Emmanuel Banda was unused substitute.
Fashion has made 13 appearances in total with 6 of those coming as starts while Banda has just started once in his five appearances this season for Oostende.
Fashion has scored 2 league goals.
Sunzu and the two Oostende players are expected to start off for Johanesburg, South Africa on Saturday to link with the Chipolopolo Boys ahead of the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique
In Russia, Evans Kangwa was introduced in the 74th minute as Arsenal Tula defeated Anzhi 2-0 on Friday night.
Kangwa, who is yet to score, has made 10 appearances, and started 5.
