Katongo, Chamanga Urge Patriotism After Chipolopolo Boycott

Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) heroes Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga have urged the current Chipolopolo squad to put patriotism above personal grievances following the recent boycott of international friendlies against Sudan and Tunisia due to unpaid allowances.

Boycott Disappoints Football Icons

FAZ President Keith Mweemba recently confirmed that some national team players opted out of international friendlies in Morocco over outstanding allowances. Reacting to the development, Katongo—who captained the side to Zambia’s only continental title in 2012—expressed concern over the players’ approach.

“You know, there is a new president at FAZ who is trying to settle. Even when these debts were accrued, he wasn’t there,” said Katongo. “This is not to say players shouldn’t be paid, but they should have sat down with him to find an amicable solution.”

Patriotism Over Payment

Katongo stressed that representing Zambia should be an honour, not a transaction. Drawing from personal experience, he revealed, “Sometimes I used my own money to travel for national duty, and up to now, I haven’t been paid everything. Even Kalusha Bwalya is still owed money.”

The former striker, who played in top leagues across South Africa, Europe, and China, advised players to seek redress through appropriate channels while remembering the bigger picture. “When you’re at the national team, you inspire millions,” he said.

Chamanga Weighs In on Boycott

Echoing Katongo’s sentiments, former striker James Chamanga, who earned 80 caps for Chipolopolo, labelled the boycott as unfortunate and unpatriotic.

“You cannot boycott national team duty. It’s for your pride, for the people. It’s not about the money, but the name that the national team will build for you,” Chamanga said.

He added that the boycott could deny local players the platform to showcase their talent. “The local players were ready for duty and looking forward to getting the same exposure. Professionals should respect where they came from.”

Call for Dialogue and Responsibility

Both legends agree that while players deserve their dues, patriotism should guide their actions when representing the national team. They called for constructive dialogue with FAZ and warned against actions that could tarnish Zambia’s football image.

Zambia missed two key preparatory matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers due to the boycott. The controversy has sparked a wider debate on balancing player welfare and national duty.

Conclusion

With World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Zambia needs unity more than ever. The call by Katongo and Chamanga serves as a powerful reminder of the values that once led Zambia to AfCON glory—discipline, dialogue, and patriotism.