Reports: Sunderland Could Be Set To Further Invest In Africa

Having recently enjoyed a trial spell at the club, giant Zambian defender Stoppila Sunzu has returned to home to Africa. At least for the time being anyway. Speaking following his trial at the club, Sunzu told local newspaper The Post that he will be leaving soon;

This is just a private visit. I don't even want people to know that I'm here. I went well (in England) but I can't talk about that. I will leave tomorrow.

It could be that he had some personal business to attend to, or that wherever he leaves for is simply another club where he has a trial lined up. It wouldn't be worth reading anything to deep into this just yet. With Titus Bramble and Matt Kilgallon set for release at the end of the season though and the transfer window currently closed, we have time to work things out with his club, Congolese champions TP Mazembe, over a deal if there's any interest on our part.

There's an interesting development in Tanzania though, with current champions of the country Simba SC claiming to have arranged a deal with Sunderland similar to that of the one signed with Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko.

Simba, who until 1971 were actually called Sunderland and still to this day play in red and white, will wear Sunderland strips next season after Ellis Short flew into the country to set up a deal.

This will also see two of their players head to the club on a trial, although a deal for either remains very slim indeed. One which has some fans excited is Ramadhani Singano, or "Messi" as he has been dubbed.

Links to the Argentine superstar seem to stop at the fact both are attacking midfielders blessed with plenty of skill, but a deal for this more low-budget Messi seems unlikely given his lack of international appearances and therefore inability to gain a work permit.

Last year "Messi" enjoyed what proved to be an ultimately unsuccessful trial at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

One who might have slightly more of a chance is Simba's top defender and regular in the Tanzanian national side, Shomari Kapombe. The 21-year old comes highly rated after winning the Tanzanian Footballer Of The Year award in 2012, having lead the Lions to the championship.

With Kapombe aged 21 however, he would require a place in the 25-man squad next season. Whether or not the club are willing to take such a risk remains unknown, but also very unlikely.

There could be scope to move both on loan to another side if need be given our ever expanding network of club partnerships, and it's one to keep an eye on.

To just briefly follow up on a previous triallist story too, dutch defender Tom Oostinjen has recently signed a new deal with club GVVV on the proviso that he is allowed to leave should Sunderland come calling again.

Oostinjen recently changed to a new agency who have said they expect him to be given a second chance on Wearside. However, we're fully aware of what agents are like.