2012 AFCON winning captain Christopher Katongo says the Chipolopolo need to be consistent in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations for them to be in a position to win the tournament for a second time.
Katongo who was speaking to the players said experience and a lot of participation in the continental showpiece are vital ingredients to be able to lift the coveted trophy.
Katongo reminded the players that this is a continuous process and that for him and his teammates to win the tournament they had to endure elimination in 2006,2008 and 2010 before eventually winning it in 2012.
The former BBC African Footballer of the year believes results will eventually come if the team consistently participates in the AFCON.
“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.
“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. That’s the most important thing. But whatever results you can bring to us, I think I can’t complain because it’s a continuous process to win the Africa Cup.”
“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, and again we go there to compete, then the results will be coming,” he added.
The locally based Chipolopolo Boys are currently in camp ahead of an international camp where they are set to play a number of international friendly matches before the tournament kicks off.
The Chipolopolo is placed in Group A alongside Morocco, Mali and Comoros. Morocco hosts the AFCON which is scheduled to kickoff on December 21 to January 18.
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