By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 10th December 2025

Former AFCON Winner Challenges Chipolopolo to Grow Through Participation

2012 AFCON-winning captain Christopher Katongo has urged the Chipolopolo to focus on consistent qualification and sustained participation at the Africa Cup of Nations if they are to dream of lifting the trophy for a second time. The iconic former skipper delivered this message as he addressed the locally based national team players currently in camp ahead of their pre-AFCON international engagements.

Katongo, who led Zambia to its historic continental triumph in 2012, stressed that the road to success is built on repeated exposure to the AFCON environment. He told the players that experience, stability, and continuous learning are crucial foundations for developing a championship-winning team.

He reminded the squad that before the unforgettable triumph in Libreville, the Chipolopolo endured years of tough lessons. Zambia exited the group stage in 2006, 2008, and 2010, but the consistency of qualifying laid the foundation for the 2012 success story.

Katongo reiterated that repeated participation sharpens a team’s readiness to compete at the highest stage.
“I wish them good luck. I think we are from somewhere where we were booted out every time in the first round. So it’s a learning phase. Every time you are booted out it’s a learning phase. We can’t complain about that one. We can’t push you guys to go and win the Africa Cup. I’ve been there. I think to win the Africa Cup, we need more experience, more participation in the national team,” he said.

The former BBC African Footballer of the Year emphasised that qualifying should not be taken for granted. He noted that falling short of qualifying puts a team behind in development, making it harder to compete with Africa’s top footballing nations.

“That’s when you can compete with those ones. So the more you qualify, the more you are likely to compete to go to the next stage. But if you are not qualifying to the Africa Cup, that’s a disaster because you’ll be behind. So qualifying, thumbs up. But now, it’s to work on the ground,” he said.

Katongo concluded that Zambia’s 2012 triumph was not accidental but the result of steady progress.
“When we won the Africa Cup, we were booted out in 2006, 2008, 2010. And then we won it in 2012. So you see the consistency of qualifying. So the way we qualify is the best medicine that we can compete with the other teams. If we can compete again… whatever the results… then they will be coming,” he said.

The Chipolopolo are currently preparing for a series of international friendly matches as part of their build-up to the AFCON. Zambia has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros for the tournament that kicks off on December 21 and runs until January 18.

Conclusion

Katongo’s message delivers both realism and encouragement, reminding the Chipolopolo that success at AFCON requires long-term consistency, not shortcuts. As Zambia gears up for another continental challenge, the words of the 2012 skipper serve as a timely reminder of what it takes to build a team capable of competing with Africa’s best.