Zambia 2012 Winning Penalty Goalscorer Stoppila Sunzu Faces Fitness Concerns Ahead of AFCON

Zambia 2012 Winning Penalty Goalscorer Stoppila Sunzu Faces Fitness Concerns Ahead of AFCON

Zambia’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament have encountered a setback as veteran defender Stoppila Sunzu had to curtail his training session at Heroes Stadium due to an apparent knock.

Sunzu, who secured Zambia’s AFCON triumph in 2012 with the winning penalty, is among the 30 players currently in camp with the Chipolopolo Boys as they gear up for the continental showpiece in Ivory Coast next month. The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia soon for a final training camp and two friendly matches before heading to their group stage destination.

However, Sunzu’s participation in the tournament is now uncertain after sustaining the knock during Thursday’s session. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, with doctors assessing his condition, and an official statement is expected soon.

The 34-year-old’s return to the national team setup in June after a three-and-a-half-year absence had been a significant boost for Zambia. His potential absence would be a significant blow to Zambia’s hopes of success in Ivory Coast.

Zambia has been drawn in Group F alongside Morocco, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sunzu and Evans Kangwa are the only two players remaining from the 2012 AFCON-winning squad, and their presence in the team serves as a source of motivation for a younger generation.

The uncertainty surrounding Sunzu’s fitness adds tension to Zambia’s preparations as they aim for their second continental crown.