Zambia’s 2012 AFCON-winning captain, Christopher Katongo, has praised the current national team for securing successive AFCON qualifications, describing the achievement as a major milestone for the squad. Reflecting on Zambia’s early exits in the 2006, 2008 and 2010 AFCON editions, Katongo said those experiences were instrumental in strengthening players’ mental resilience and sharpening their competitive edge. He noted that each setback contributed significantly to the team’s growth and understanding of the demands of continental football.
Katongo urged the current squad to “hit the ground running” by focusing immediately on attaining peak physical condition ahead of the tournament, stressing that the entire nation is behind them and expects strong performances. Zambia heads into AFCON 2025 after topping their qualifying group with a convincing win over Côte d’Ivoire, as the team looks to rebuild under new coaching leadership and rekindle the spirit of their 2012 championship triumph. The media reports that this year’s qualification marks the first time in nine years that Zambia has secured back-to-back appearances at the continental showpiece.
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