February 4, 2008
|
|
FELIX KATONGO
|
He was without doubt Zambia’s outstanding player at the 26th edition of CAF African Cup of Nations in Ghana. Blessed with wonderful skill, two good feet and great shooting ability, there are so many superlatives you can throw at a player who is simply unplayable at this moment in time. And French ligue 1 side Rennes moved quickly to snap his signature on the deadline of Janauary 2007 transfer window.
Felix Katongo started his career at Butondo West Tigers in 2000. The younger of the two brothers (his elder brother, Christopher plays for Dannish club, Brondby IF and is currently the Zambia national soccer team captain) moved to Forest Rangers were his older brother was in 2001.
In 2002 the two brothers switched to Zambia Army sponsored club, Green Buffaloes were they played continental football.
Nicknamed ‘Feligol’ by his international teammates and ‘Jet Li’ by his fans, Katongo was part of the George Lwandamina’s under-20 that included the likes of Kennedy Mweene, Jacob Mulenga, Clifford Mulenga and Rainford Kalaba that won the 2003 COSAFA under-20.
While at Buffaloes, Katongo established himself as one of the best creative players in the local Premier League and it did not take long before the then Chipolopolo coach, Zambian soocer legend and 1988 African Player of the Year handed him his international debut in 2005.
The mufulira-born became in direct competition with his former under-20 teammate and fans favourite Clifford Mulenga for the left flank at national team level. Despite being given the nod ahead of Mulenga, Katongo gave average performances and fans started to lose faith and patience with him as they preferred Mulenga.
In 2005, the tricky performer joined his brother at South African Premier league Side, Jomo Cosmos. At Cosmos, the former under-20 international made headlines for the wrong reasons while his elder brother Chris was busy winning the hearts of the Enzenkosi faithful. Cosmos owner and coach Jomo Sono, shipped Katongo back to Green Buffaloes on loan in 2006.
The versatile playmaker who can play wide on the flanks, in central midfield or his favoured, just off the front, played in all the three games at the Egypt 2006 African Cup of Nations.
In the 2006 Cosafa Cup final against Angola, the nimble footed tormented the Angolan and this prompted the oil company sponsored side Petro Athletico de Luanda to sign him from Jomo Cosmos though the South African club remained with a share of his economic rights.
At Petro, Katongo blossomed as he played in the hole (second striker) supporting Manchester United striker Manoucho upfront.
Katongo confessed before the national team left for AFCON preparation in Spain in December 2006.”Yes I agree I haven’t performed for Zambia as I do it at Petro but I think its all because of the position they use me,” he said
“At Buffaloes and Petro I am used to playing in midfield or just behind a striker,” the former Buffaloes and Jomo Cosmos man added.
Katongo was granted his wish in the build up to 2006 African Cup of Nations international friendlies and he scored his first international goals in the Chipolopolo Boys 2-1 win over highly rated Tunisia on January 7,2008.
Katongo proved an integral component of the copper bullets, plying his trade across in the 4-3-3 formation coach Patrick Phiri employed. A permanent switch to central midfield role brought the best from him, and he was vital as the Chipolopolo boys beat Sudan 3-0 in the first match and marked his superb performance with a debut African Cup of Nations goal.
The 23 year old combined fighting spirit, incisive passing and leadership in all the three games Zambia played at the 2008 CAF African Cup of Nations and he was voted man of the match against the Samuel Eto’o led Cameroon despite Zambia losing 5-1.
Those successes earned him a move to French ligue 1 side Rennes becoming the third Zambian to ever ply their trade in France. Former international winger Andrew Tembo had a short stint with Olmpique Marseille in 1994 while his international teammate, striker Jacob Mulenga plays for Ligue 2 side Chateauroux.
Katongo is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in Zambian football and added flair and attacking impetus to the Zambian midfield. His fine range of passing and great vision, making him a quality midfield weapon has already left fans dubbing him the ‘New Charlie Cool.’
33 Comments on "Felix Katongo"
| COPYRIGHT © 2007-2011 Zamfoot Sports Agency. All rights reserved. |
Anonymous on Tue, 15th Apr 2008 10:30 PM
Eto’o meets a Zambian star a.k.a Jet li….Wasanga baleteya!!