2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning skipper Christopher Katongo says the nation should not put too much pressure on the AFCON bound Zambia National Team ahead of the tournament.
Speaking to the FAZ Media, Katongo said he was happy that the team was now back to qualification to the AFCON which was the surest way to get back to the top.“I just wish them good luck. I think we are from somewhere where were booted out every time into the first round. So it is a learning phase,” he says.
“Every time you booted out, it is a learning phase. We can’t complain on that one.”
He adds: “We can’t push these guys to go and win the Africa Cup. I have been there. I think to win the Africa Cup, we need more experience, more participation to the AFCON.”
Katongo, “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 is to work on the ground. That’s the most important thing.”
Katongo says for Zambia to win the AFCON they had to endure early eliminations in 2006, 2008 and 2010 before lifting the trophy in 2012.
“It is a continuous process to win the Africa Cup. When we won the Africa Cup, we were booted out in 2006, 2008 and 2010 and then we won in 2012. So you see the consistency of qualifying regularly. So if you can, the best way is qualify which is the best medicine that we can compete.”
Zambia is in Group A alongside Morocco, Mali and Comoros.
The AFCON runs from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco.
Source: FAZ