AFCON: Zambia receive big push as Sunzu returns

Zambia have received a big push following the return of key defender Stoppila Sunzu for Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco.

The China-based defender was taken ill on the eve of the opening match for the 2012 AFCON champions when they faced Mali on Monday. The Group A opener ended one-all with Patson Daka scoring late to rescue a point for Moses Sichone’s team.

In Sunzu’s absence, Zambia conceded a sloppy goal before the Leicester City FC man equalised. The return of the experienced centre-back is surely good news for Zambia.

What Sunzu’s return means for Zambia At AFCON

The Football Association of Zambia head of media Nkweto Tembwe has since confirmed exclusively to Pan-Africa Football that the China’s Changchun Yatai FC’s player is available for selection.

“I can confirm to you that Stoppila Sunzu has fully recovered, and in the past few days, he has been part of the training fully. He has been running here and there. He is eligible for selection for today’s match against Comoros, so rest assured that Mr Sunzu is fine,” Tembwe said.

The 2012 AFCON-winning star suffered from abdominal pains on the eve of the match against Mali.

The towering defender is the only surviving playing squad member from the Zambian side that stunned Ivory Coast on post-match penalties to win the AFCON title for the first time in the history of the Southern African country.

Sunzu scored the winning penalty kick for Zambia in the 2012 final in Gabon.

His 2012 AFCON squad team-mate Kennedy Mweene is now the goalkeeper coach working under Zambia coach Moses Sichone.

Zambia need maximum points to increase their chances of progressing beyond the group stage. Morocco will be the last opponents for the former champions.