By FELIX MALUNGA –
CHIPOLOPOLO defender, Stoppila Sunzu has formally completed his move to French Ligue 1, Lille Olympique Sporting Club with coach Herve Renard describing the Zambian as a rock and an athletic player.
The 26-year-old Sunzu was handed his favourite jersey 13 yesterday after completing a one-year loan switch from Chinese side, Shanghai Shenhua

. Sunzu

Zambia international defender Stoppila Sunzu has joined the French Ligue 1 side on loan from China’s Shanghai Greenland Shenhua with an option for a permanent move to Lille.
Renard, who led Zambia to the historic 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph, described Sunzu as a rock behind the Chipolopolo’s success story at the continental championship co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
He told the club website that Sunzu was an athletic defender with many qualities and that his move back to France was a bonus to Lille.
The Frenchman, however, said it was now up to Sunzu to work harder and establish himself as a force to reckon with in European football.
Sunzu, who also worked with Renard last year at another French club Sochaux, said he got attracted to Lille because of his good working relationship with the former Chipolopolo trainer whom he described as a fatherly figure for him.
“We have wonderful memories in common, like the Africa Cup of Nations we won in 2012. It was him (Renard) who chose to reposition me as a central defender (from midfielder) and this is the position that I managed to make myself a name, “ he told the club website.
Sunzu, who joined his new teammates in training yesterday, is in line to feature for Lille in today’s friendly against Portuguese side, SC Braga.