Zambian player defends Chinese league

Zambia national soccer team striker James Chamanga has defended the Chinese soccer league, saying the league was tough and competitive, the Times of Zambia reported on Friday.

Zambia has seen a number of its soccer players breaking into the Chinese league. Last week, international defender, Stopilla Sunzu joined Chinese top side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua with the country's sports minister Chishimba Kambwili expressing misgivings about the move.

But Chamanga, who plays for Chinese side Liaoning Whowin, said the Chinese league was tough and hoped more Zambian players would trek to the Asian nation.

"The Chinese league is a very tough and competitive league unlike the perception that is held in this country about it. It is easy for me to say because I have been there and I know how tough it is. I actually wish more Zambians can come there and also see how difficult it is to make it there. I am also happy it suits my game but it is underrated just because Zambians don't watch it on television like on Suprtsport," he was quoted as saying by the paper.

He further said it was tough to get through the Chinese league though he scored on average eight goals per season.

The international striker, who has been called to the national soccer team for this month's Africa Cup of Nations, recently renewed his contract his Chinese club for two years and will run into the end of the 2016 season.

He joined the Chinese team in 2013 from fellow Chinese side Dalian Shide.