. Mulenga

By SANDRA MWILA and  KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –

MIDFIELDER Clifford Mulenga has joined Zambian League champions, Zesco United.
As Mulenga prepares for life in the MTN-FAZ Super League after spending almost a decade in the South African League. Chipolopolo defender Stoppila Sunzu is also in line to make his delayed Lille debut this Friday.
Mulenga, who was released by PSL side Ajax Cape Town after a disappointing 2014/15 season, joins other former Chipolopolo stars like Christopher Katongo, Isaac Chansa and Joseph Musonda trekking back to play in the local league.
He has played for University of Pretoria, Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic and SuperSport United during his 10-year stay in South Africa and won the 2007 Glo-CAF Young Player award.
Mulenga has not featured for the Chipolopolo following his unceremonious exit at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea due to disciplinary reasons.
Zesco United public relations officer Katebe Chengo said in an interview that Mulenga will be a big boost to the club aiming at defending the MTN-FAZ Super League title.
“Yes, I can confirm that Clifford is now with us (Zesco) but I am not in a position to say whether it’s a permanent or loan deal. As you know, Clifford is a free agent and released by Ajax and negotiations are still going on,” Chengo said.
Mulenga was introduced during yesterday’s morning training session at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Chengo said midfielder Kondwani Mtonga will be returning to India in October and each new player will be of value to the team.
“Kondwani is leaving for India in October and the coming of Clifford, a winger, and any other player that will join Zesco will add value to the team. Our aim is to retain the league and Barclays Cup,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lille assistant coach and ex-Chipolopolo Patrice Beaumelle said in an interview from France yesterday that Sunzu was making great progress during his rehabilitation and could play away against Monaco.
Sunzu missed Lille’s opening game of the 2015/2016 French Ligue 1 season last Friday in their 1-0 home loss to defending champions Paris Saint Germain after undergoing what the club termed as a rehabilitation.
“Stoppila is training with the team. He is getting better every day. We will see during the week if he can play (against Monaco),” Beaumelle said.
Sunzu joined Lille this season on a year loan from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
He has returned to Ligue 1 barely a year after leaving Sochaux for the Chinese club on a permanent deal.