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Katongo Slams Bogus CAF Awards After Winning BBC Award ‘I did my best and the people have spoken – that’s the beauty of this award’
Christopher Katongo has diplomatically slammed CAF after scooping the prestigious the 2012 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The 30-year-old Zambia captain beat off competition from Demba Ba, Didier Drogba, Younes Belhanda and Yaya Toure to become the first winner from southern Africa in the history of the award.
Katongo told BBC Sport: “This is a fantastic moment for me. I thank the people who voted for me. It is something I will never forget in my career.
“I did my best and the people have spoken – that’s the beauty of this award”
“This means a lot for the young people and the young players who look up to me. I could not have achieved this without the support of my team-mates.”
The shortlist for the award was drawn up by football experts from every country in Africa, who based their choices on players’ skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency and fair play.
And a record number of people nominated their favourite online or by text message with just over 40% of the votes going to Katongo, who plays his club football in China for Henan Construction.
Chris Katongo with his 2012 BBC award
“I think the things that they (the fans) like about me is my discipline and that I am the kind of player who can fail one day but pull up his socks and keep going. I think that is why they voted for me,” added Katongo.
“To be among the top players who have won this award, I will go to sleep with a smile on my face.
“I did my best and the people have spoken. That’s the beauty of this award.”
Katongo, who is also a soldier in his home country, was inspirational as he led Zambia to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February.
He scored three goals en route to the final of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and then struck a successful penalty in an 8-7 shoot-out victory over favourites Ivory Coast to lift the trophy in Libreville.
It was an emotional moment for Zambia, who had suffered a tragic air disaster 19 years previously, when a plane carrying most of the national team crashed when only 500m offshore from Libreville, killing all 25 passengers and five crew.
Seven months after leading Zambia to glory Katongo was again his country’s talisman, this time in a 2013 Nations Cup qualifying tie when he scored the only goal of the game in his side’s final-round first leg match against Uganda.
And it proved to be a vital strike as Chipolopolo lost the return leg 1-0 but made it through to next year’s tournament in South Africa by winning 9-8 in another penalty shoot-out.
In between those Nations Cup heroics, Katongo also provided the spark that lifted Zambia out of a difficult phase in their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.
Zambia suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Sudan in Khartoum in June – a result that remains in doubt while Sudan are being investigated for allegedly fielding an ineligible player – and they desperately needed a result against Ghana a week later.
Yet again it was Katongo who stepped up and scored the winner, putting his side’s campaign back on track.
And if Katongo can continue the form that has helped his country to new heights, as well as earning him individual recognition, he may well propel Zambia to the biggest stage of all in Brazil in 18 months’ time.
Tumfweko/BBC
Posted by
Davy Banda
December 19, 2012 at 8:21 am
Bravo! Ba Katongo for putting Zambia on the world map.But after 2012, leave International football for the Kids
trubantu
December 19, 2012 at 8:55 am
Get your facts straight ba tumfweko, Kalusha won that award in 1994. Chris is not the first one from sadc. Shame!!
Chikalabwamba
December 20, 2012 at 11:08 am
Kali won caf and Chris has won bbc African footballer of the year. Have seen the difference?
jlo
December 19, 2012 at 9:16 am
congrats chris u deserve it and we are proud as Zambians and Africa especially southern part.
Viva
sam mwamba
December 19, 2012 at 10:15 am
Good for Zambians lets surport our Boys, Katongo Go.
Leornado
December 19, 2012 at 10:34 am
Tonga Bulls are TWATS,how do u relate the BBc award to retirement a home issue.l guess this tribal has a huge Birth problem.Understanding things to them has to be in a “Tonga contest” they`re totally different like DAY & NIGHT .confused chaps bcoz of ifisushi fya ngombe.Roten milk.eating the Bull` shit this is the least we aspect .
Zedman
December 19, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Just win graciously.
Tinter
December 19, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Tongabull pliz dnt embarass tongas..if u ddnt want to give credit to CK u would have jst kept quiet. Congratulations christopher, you’ve made Zambia proud.
Mwape Miti
December 19, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Mwilabomfya imiti bamudala. Lyonse ni kunganga!
Disgraced Tribe
December 19, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@tomba bull true bantustanyoko.
Being a Tonga doesn’t always mean that u should be envious of other tribes (Bembas in this case). U chaps learn to appreciate where it is due. U’re disgracing the Noble Tonga Tribe.
Munaile
December 19, 2012 at 6:20 pm
So Kanshi Kalusha Bwalya is Bogus…..Is he not in CAF?
Disgraced Tribe
December 19, 2012 at 6:23 pm
@tomba bull and true bantustanyoko.
Being a Tonga doesn’t always mean that u should be envious of other tribes (Bembas in this case). U chaps learn to appreciate where it is due. U’re disgracing the Noble Tonga Tribe.
King Musula Wenu
December 20, 2012 at 8:20 pm
HH voted for number 16, hence his vote was declared null and void bcos he did not want Katongo to win since he hails from the north. He keeps being beaten once more. HH retire for national interest.
kencool
December 20, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Congrats Chris……
Cloudis Williams
December 21, 2012 at 6:32 am
Bravo Katongo, you are man!!!! We thank you for mother Zambia
ray-ray
December 21, 2012 at 9:24 am
imwe Yaya Toure has been names African player of the year,,ala these awarding bodies are too many,,its confusing now…
pro
December 21, 2012 at 9:24 am
But aba Tonga you have inferiority complex sure. Even where you are supposed to praise, imwe ni jealous. Anyway he has won and you Tongas cannot change anything.
ray-ray
December 21, 2012 at 9:25 am
imwe Yaya Toure has been named African player of the year,,ala these awarding bodies are too many,,its confusing now…
pro
December 21, 2012 at 9:26 am
Ba ray-ray naimwe, he was only named last night.
Big Daddy
December 21, 2012 at 9:42 am
He is now Christopher Matongo Katongo.This should please all Zambians.
kurtyny dymowe
January 31, 2013 at 11:59 am
Congratulations from Poland. Congratulations Zambia