For Zambia captain, Christopher Katongo, they are faced with their best moment to win the Africa Cup of Nations title which has remained elusive as far as the Chipolopolos are concerned.
The Zambians will meet Ghana’s Black Stars for a place at the final on Wednesday at the Estadio de Bata and for Katongo, there can be no better time again to lay their hands on the Holy Grail of African football.
According to the 29-year old forward on the books of Chinese side, Henan Construction, they are “psychologically and physical prepared for the match. The issue of tactics remains with the coach.”
The army officer whose impressive performance at the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations has earned him an elevation to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One by Zambian President, Michael Sata is optimistic the Ghanaians cannot stand on their path to the final.
“It will be an interesting game due to the similarities between the playing styles of the two teams. Ghana is a strong team and we respect them. The only difference is that the Ghanaians have popular players, but it will be 11 against 11.”
The confident oozing Katongo is excited at his first ever game against the Black Stars and is relishing the challenge.
“To be honest, I like challenges. If you want to be at the top, you have to beat those there. This is a good opportunity for the players to make our name. It is a challenge to move a step further. This is our time.
“The challenge is to be at the top and we have to prove we deserve to be amongst the tops. The Ghanaian would also want to prove that they are champions and that will make the game interesting.”
Zambia, yet to win the flagship African football event were losing finalists in 1974 (Egypt) and 1994 (Tunisia).
