Himoonde was a key member of the Herve Renard-coached Zambian squad which won the 2012 Africa Cup in Gabon by defeating Ivory Coast on post-match penalties.
Between 2007 and 2014, the former Power Dynamos defender appeared in 42 games for the Chipolopolo Boys.
He also played for TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa before hanging up his boots.
In an interview with BolaNews, the 2010 CAF Champions League winner with Mazembe stated that his partnership with Sunzu extended beyond the pitch.
Himoonde adds that the two developed a strong bond outside of football, which put them in a better position to learn from each other’s experiences.
“We understood each other a lot, and we were not just brothers on the pitch,” Himoonde stated. “We could discuss and talk about football outside the pitch; he was younger than me, but we could learn from each other and communicate every time.”
Himoonde added, “When we were playing on the pitch, there was no time for talking; sometimes we could look at each other and know what to do.”
Himoonde tips Chipolopolo ahead of World Cup qualifiers
The Chipolopolo Boys will return to action next month, facing Morocco and Tanzania in back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
They have conceded in all five of their last five competitive matches, and Himoonde believes the entire team, particularly the backline, must improve communication before facing Morocco.
“I believe we have some of the best players in Africa,” he said, “but when it comes to defending, it is not about the defenders only; defend as a team and attack as a team.
“Above all, everyone representing the nation should work extra hard,” stated the former Lusaka Dynamos defender.
Himoonde has also advised the players not to be selfish.
“Those players that will be called to the national team must not play for themselves but for the team… But for defenders, they need to be strong on the pitch and command,” he concluded.
READ MORE: Kennedy Musonda continues to impress in Tanzania
