Stoppila Sunzu

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Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Stoppila Sunzu (born 22 June 1989), also known as Stophira Sunzu,[1] is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai. He scored the winning penalty kick for Zambia in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Early life

Stopilla Sunzu was born in Chingola and is the younger brother of Felix Sunzu and the son of Felix Sunzu Sr, a goalkeeper who was originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo.[2]

Club career

Early career

He began his career with Afrisports of Kitwe.[3] He was discovered at a U-16 tournament in Chambeshi, Zambia and he was referred to Afrisports.[4]

He then joined Konkola Blades under a loan arrangement.[5]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". After representing Zambia at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 19-year-old was invited for trials at the English side Reading.[6] The Championship side was keen on securing him on a longer deal but due to work permit problems the move did not materialise.[6] He signed a loan contract for Châteauroux in September 2008 and after the end of the season on 30 June 2009 returned to Zanaco FC.[7]

TP Mazembe

In 2010, Sunzu transferred to TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". His registration to Zanaco was a loan from Afrisports and there was some initial dispute regarding his move to TP Mazembe but it was eventually resolved.[8] With Mazembe, he won domestic titles as well as the 2010 CAF Champions League.[6] He was sent off in the club's opening 2010 FIFA Club World Cup game.[9] In November 2012, he was shortlisted for the 2012 Africa-based Player of the Year award.[10] In January 2013, he trained with Reading in the English Premier League with a view to being offered a contract.[11][12] He returned to the 2013 African Cup of Nations without any contract being signed.[13] Sunzu came to Reading on the premise of being a free agent, with his three-year contract expiring in December 2012. Moses Katumbi, president of TP Mazembe, accused Sunzu's handlers of lying to Reading about his contract stating that it does not expire until 2015.[14][15]

Stints in France and China

On 6 January 2014, Sunzu joined French Ligue 1 club Sochaux-Montbéliard along with his teammate Nathan Sinkala.[16][17] He scored important goals but could not prevent the relegation of the French side to Ligue 2.[18]

On 29 December 2014, Sunzu transferred to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.[19] He made his debut and scored his first goal for Shanghai Greenland Shenhua on 8 March 2015, in a 6–2 victory against city rivals Shanghai Shenxin.[20]

Sunzu was loaned to Lille for one year on 28 July 2015.[21][22] In his first season there, he made 16 appearances scoring twice. On 10 July 2016, he joined Lille permanently on a three-year contract, for an undisclosed fee.[21]

File:Stoppila Sunzu.jpg
Sunzu at LOSC Lille

Arsenal Tula loans

On 3 February 2017, Sunzu signed a loan deal with the Russian Premier League club FC Arsenal Tula until the end of the 2016–17 season. At the time of the signing, Arsenal Tula claimed his player rights still belong to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, and that is the club Arsenal loaned him from, despite earlier reports on him signing a permanent deal with Lille.[23]

File:Stoppila Sunzu 2017.jpg
Sunzu against FC Krasnodar

In July 2017, he re-joined Arsenal Tula on loan for the 2017–18 season.[24]

Metz

File:RC Lens - FC Metz (09-02-2019) 26.jpg
Sunzu at FC Metz before a match against RC Lens

On 9 July 2018, he returned to France, signing a two-year contract with FC Metz.[25][26] He made his league debut for the club on 30 July 2018, playing all ninety minutes in a 1–0 away victory over Stade Brest.[27] He scored his first competitive goal for the club on 19 October 2018 in a 3–0 league victory over Chamois Niortais. His goal, assisted by Marvin Gakpa, was scored in the 80th minute.[28]

Shijiazhuang Ever Bright

In the 2019–20 winter transfer period, Sunzu left Metz to join Chinese Super League side Shijiazhuang Ever Bright.[29]

Jinan Xingzhou

On 21 April 2023, Sunzu joined China League One side Jinan Xingzhou.[30]

Return to Cangzhou Mighty Lions

On 29 February 2024, Sunzu rejoined Chinese Super League club Cangzhou Mighty Lions (previous name of Shijiazhuang Ever Bright).[31]

Changchun Yatai

On 28 June 2024, Sunzu joined Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai.[32] Two days later, he made his debut for the club in a 5-0 home win against Qingdao Hainiu.

International career

Sunzu represented his country at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.[33] In that tournament, Zambia defeated an Uruguayan side that featured Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani.[34]

He made his full international debut against Botswana in a 2009 African Championship of Nations qualifier.

Sunzu scored the winning penalty of the penalty shoot-out in the final of the 2012 African Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast, which Zambia won 8–7.[35]

In October 2013, due to a disagreement between their club TP Mazembe and the Zambian Football Association over international call-ups, Sunzu and two other players (Nathan Sinkala and Rainford Kalaba) were the subject of a Zambian arrest warrant.[36] All three players later had their passports confiscated by Zambian immigration authorities,[37] before being pardoned by the Zambian government.[38]

Career statistics

Club

As of 27 October 2024Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Châteauroux (loan) 2008–09 Ligue 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TP Mazembe 2010 Linafoot 11 0 0 0 11 10
2011 11 0 1 0 12 0
2012 11 0 11 0
2013 0 0
2013–14 0 0
Total 33 0 1 0 34 0
Sochaux 2013–14 Ligue 1 17 4 1 0 0 0 18 4
2014–15 Ligue 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total 27 4 1 0 0 0 28 4
Shanghai Shenhua 2015 Chinese Super League 13 1 0 0 13 1
Lille (loan) 2015–16 Ligue 1 12 1 1 0 3 1 16 2
Lille B (loan) 2016–17 CFA 2 3 0 3 0
Lille 2016–17 Ligue 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
Arsenal Tula (loan) 2016–17 Russian Premier League 13 0 1 0 14 0
2017–18 28 2 1 0 29 2
Total 41 2 1 0 1 0 43 2
Metz 2018–19 Ligue 2 36 2 3 0 3 0 42 2
2019–20 Ligue 1 17 0 0 0 1 0 18 0
Total 53 2 3 0 4 0 60 2
Shijiazhuang Ever Bright/
Cangzhou Mighty Lions
2020 Chinese Super League 19 4 0 0 19 4
2021 22 2 1 0 23 2
2022 11 0 0 0 11 0
Total 52 6 1 0 53 6
Jinan Xingzhou 2023 China League One 21 3 0 0 21 3
Cangzhou Mighty Lions 2024 Chinese Super League 14 1 0 0 14 1
Changchun Yatai 2024 Chinese Super League 12 1 0 0 12 1
Career total 252 21 7 0 8 1 33 0 2 0 292 22

International goals

Scores and results list Zambia's goal tally first.[40]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 12 August 2009 Brisbane Stadium, London, England {{ Template:Yesno alias = Ghana flag alias = Flag of Ghana.svg flag alias-1964 = Ghana flag 1964.svg flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Ghana.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Ghana.svg flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Ghana.svg flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Ghana.svg size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align=center | 1–2 || align=center | 1–4 || Friendly

2. 25 October 2009 Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo, Zambia {{ Template:Yesno alias = Namibia flag alias = Flag of Namibia.svg link alias-army = Namibian Army flag alias-army = Flag of the Namibian Army.svg link alias-naval = Namibian Navy flag alias-naval = Flag of the Namibian Navy.svg link alias-air force = Namibian Air Force flag alias-air force = Flag of the Namibian Air Force.svg link alias-navy = Namibian Navy flag alias-navy = Flag of the Namibian Navy.svg flag alias-military = Flag of the Namibian Defence Force.svg link alias-military = Namibian Defence Force flag alias-1990=Flag of Namibia (WFB 2000).svg flag alias-2004=Flag of Namibia (WFB 2004).svg size = name = variant = altlink = national football team altvar = football

}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–0 || 2009 COSAFA Cup

3. 11 January 2012 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa {{ Template:Yesno alias = South Africa flag alias = Flag of South Africa.svg flag alias-1795 = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg flag alias-1801 = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-1857 = Flag of Transvaal.svg flag alias-1875 = Flag of the Natal Colony (1875–1910).svg flag alias-1876 = Flag of the Cape Colony 1876-1910.svg flag alias-1902 = Flag of Orange River Colony.svg flag alias-1910 = South Africa Flag 1910-1912.svg flag alias-1912 = Red Ensign of South Africa (1912-1951).svg flag alias-1928 = Flag of South Africa (1928–1982).svg flag alias-1982 = Flag of South Africa (1982–1994).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg flag alias-naval-1922 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1946-1951).svg flag alias-naval-1951 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1951-1952).svg flag alias-naval-1952 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1952-1981).svg flag alias-naval-1981 = Naval Ensign of South Africa (1981-1994).svg flag alias-marines=Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg link alias-marines=South African Maritime Reaction Squadron link alias-naval = South African Navy flag alias-air force = Ensign of the South African Air Force.svg flag alias-air force-1940 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1940-1951.svg flag alias-air force-1951 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1951-1958.svg flag alias-air force-1958 = Ensign of the South African Air Force (1958-1967, 1970-1981).svg flag alias-air force-1967 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1967-1970.svg flag alias-air force-1981 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1981-1982.svg flag alias-air force-1982 = Ensign of the South African Air Force (1982-1994).svg flag alias-air force-1994 = Ensign of the South African Air Force 1994-2003.svg link alias-air force = South African Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the South African Army.svg flag alias-army-1951 = Flag of the South African Army (1951–1966).png flag alias-army-1966 = Flag of the South African Army (1966–1973).png flag alias-army-1973 = Flag of the South African Army (1973–1994).svg flag alias-army-1981 = Ensign of the South African Defence Force (1981-1994).svg flag alias-army-1994 = Flag of the South African Army (1994–2002).svg flag alias-army-2002 = Flag of the South African Army (2002–2003).svg link alias-army = South African Army flag alias-military = Flag of the South African National Defence Force.svg link alias-military = South African National Defence Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of South Africa.svg link alias-navy = South African Navy link alias-football = South Africa national soccer team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–1 || Friendly

4. 4 February 2012 Estadio de Bata, Bata, Equatorial Guinea {{ Template:Yesno alias = Sudan flag alias = Flag of Sudan.svg flag alias-1956 = Flag of Sudan (1956-1970).svg flag alias-air force = Ensign of the Sudanese Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Sudanese Air Force flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sudan.svg link alias-naval = Sudanese Navy flag alias-army = Flag of the Sudanese Army (1956–present).png link alias-army = Sudanese Army flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sudan.svg link alias-navy = Sudanese Navy flag alias-military = Insignia of the Sudanese Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Sudanese Armed Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 3–0 || 2012 Africa Cup of Nations

5. 10 October 2018 Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia {{ Template:Yesno alias = Guinea-Bissau flag alias = Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg size = name = altlink = national football team

}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 2–1 || 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

6. 23 March 2024 Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi {{ Template:Yesno alias = Zimbabwe flag alias = Flag of Zimbabwe.svg flag alias-1980=Flag of Zimbabwe (WFB 2000).jpg flag alias-army = Flag of the Zimbabwe National Army.svg link alias-army = Zimbabwe National Army flag alias-military=Flag of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.svg link alias-military=Zimbabwe Defence Forces flag alias-air force =Air Force Ensign of Zimbabwe.svg link alias-air force = Air Force of Zimbabwe size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || align=center|1–0 || align=center| 2–2 (5–6 p) || 2024 Four Nations Football Tournament

Honours

Zanaco

TP Mazembe

Zambia

Individual

References

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  19. 申花正式宣布苏祖加盟 新赛季套票价格微涨 at news.163.com 29 December 2014 Retrieved 28 July 2015 Template:In lang
  20. 中超-恩里克3球卡希尔造乌龙 申花6-2申鑫 at sports.sina.com 8 March 2015 Retrieved 28 July 2015 Template:In lang
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  22. 申花宣布苏祖加盟法甲里尔 赞比亚铁卫租借一年 at sports.sohu.com 28 July 2015 Retrieved 28 July 2015 Template:In lang
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  33. Fifa Profile
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External links

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