By MICHAEL MIYOBA
FORMER Zambia national team captain Christopher Katongo has urged the Chipolopolo to work hard and put Zambia on the map as they compete at the delayed 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) starting tomorrow in Ivory Coast.
Katongo, who is the only Zambian player to have lifted the AFCON as captain said he was happy to see the new crop of Chipolopolo stars qualifying for the AFCON.
Katongo noted that the job was not done yet after the Chipolopolo returned to the continental championship after missing the last three editions.
“I just want to wish the Chipolopolo good luck at the Africa Cup of Nations. I wish them good health. May God bless them and give them the energy to inspire and work hard to put Zambia on the map. Hopefully we will be together in spirit,” Katongo said.
“I’m happy that you also qualified for the AFCON. Congratulations but the job is not done guys, so I wish you good luck,” the 2012 AFCON winner said.
Katongo, who played for Green Buffaloes, Jomo Cosmos and Golden Arrows in the South African Premier Soccer League is confident that Zambia can produce a player of the tournament at the Ivory Coast tournament.
“We have powerful, talented and thirsty players capable of being named TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations player of the tournament,” said Katongo who bagged the player of the tournament award in 2012 the same year he won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The Chipolopolo are in Group F alongside 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco, neighbours Congo DR and Tanzania.
The Chipolopolo will kick off their AFCON campaign against Congo DR on January 17 before facing Tanzania four days later.
They end their group stage campaign with a date against Morocco with the top two in the group progressing to the knock-out stage.
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