.FC Sochaux coach, Hervé Renard
By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
FC Sochaux coach, Hervé Renard has tipped Chipolopolo stars Stopilla Sunzu and Nathan Sinkala to succeed in Europe.
Renard said he rates Sunzu to be the best central defender in Africa and that Sinkala has a quality footwork which gives the two players the edge to perform well at his French Ligue 1 side, Sochaux and also in Europe.
Sunzu, who will be making his second stint in France after a brief spell at Ligue 2 side, Chateauroux, clinched a three-year contract worth €1 million (about K7 million) at Sochaux while Sinkala is joining on a six-month loan deal with an option for a permanent move.
Renard told the TP Mazembe website yesterday that his decision to pick on the two players from the many Zambian bunch was because of the strength the two players would bring to his side as he aims to reinforce the struggling French side.
“I have no doubt about their (Sunzu and Sinkala) ability to succeed. I signed with my eyes closed because I know their qualities to succeed here at the club and in Europe. We wish them good luck, just like you,” he said.
He said players like midfielder Rainford Kalaba and left-back Emmanuel Mbola on their value, would have equally been strong contenders to be signed on by the club occupying second position from bottom on the log.
Renard said he opted for Sunzu and Sinkala because they operate in key positions of the Chipolopolo which would be a boost to Sochaux.
“I would like to thank Mr Moise Katumbi and the club for facilitating the transaction because I feel the president wants the players to succeed with their careers. I believe he (Katumbi) felt that time was right for the two players to make a step in their careers and that is a mark of a president,” he said.
At the weekend, Katumbi, who is also Katanga Province Governor, also hailed the way the negotiations between Sochaux and Mazembe were conducted saying the transfers were done in a professional way where contracts and rules were respected.
Katumbi wished the duo the best of luck in France while Sunzu and Sinkala also thanked Katumbi for the support he rendered to them during their stay at Mazembe.
