Christopher Katongo ‘s name is synonymous with Zambian football glory. As the only Chipolopolo captain to win the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), he deserves to be included in the Chipolopolo all-time best 11.
Katongo, a Chipolopolo centurion with 103 caps and 23 goals, enjoyed a successful national team career. He is still the only Chipolopolo captain to have won African gold.
He made his debut on June 7, 2003, in a 2-0 victory over Tanzania in the 2004 Afcon qualifiers.
His crowning moment was in 2012, when he led Zambia to the Afcon title against the much-fancied Ivory Coast.
Ivorian and Manchester City legend Yaya Toure describes Katongo as one of the most underrated players of his generation.
“Katongo had been a captain for Zambia in the past, a really good leader; he was a hard worker in this team,” Toure once said. “I remember him in 2012; they were able to beat us in the final, and he led the team all the way he and Herve [Renard], my former coach, were like that—same principles, same mindset.”
Katongo explains best XI choice
This week, Bolanews put it to Katongo to name his all–time Chipolopolo best 11.
His selection may shock most Gen Zs but those who followed the national team between 1980 and before the turn of the millennium understand what Katongo is talking about.
Spoiler alert! No player from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad has made the team, not even Katongo himself!
“My [Chipolopolo] best 11 is from 1990 to maybe 2000 and 2002 before we won the AfCON [in 2012]. I feel the best 11 I am going to select is the one I think was [even] supposed to win the Africa Cup of Nations.
“They were so good compared to 2011 and 2012. It is difficult [to select] it is just that we won the AfCON but they were good,” he said.
“My best 11 is Efford Chabala in goal, right-back, I go for Mordon Malitoli. Elijah Litana, and Eston Mulenga are my central defenders, and Hilary Makasa can take the position of left-back.
“My number six is Derby Makinka, while my number eight is Patrick ‘Bomber’ Banda. In the wings, my number 11 is Kalusha Bwalya, seven is Jonhstone Bwalya, then upfront Gibby Mbasela and Kelvin Mutale,” Katongo said.
His bench is made up of James Phiri, Harrison ‘Wawa’ Chongo, Samuel Chomba, Kenan Simambe, Kenneth Malitoli, and Wisdom Chansa.
“That’s my best team from 1990, may be up to 2000 and 2002, thank you,” Katongo said.
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