August 28, 2008
ZAMBIA soccer team international midfielder Felix Katongo is contemplating leaving Stade Rennes citing lack of appearance in the first team as his reason for wanting to divorce the French Ligue 1 side.
Katongo who joined the French side early this year said he was not amused with the goings-on at the club as he was not used in the first team.
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He said he was in most cases pushed to the club’s second side and that he rarely made it to the bench of the first team.
“Training is okay, I am training with the first team but the coach is not using me. On several occasions, I’ve wanted to leave the club but the officials insist that I stay on, “he told Times of Zambia in a telephone interview
The enterprising midfielder who was spotted by the French side during the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations said he had only appeared on the bench and wondered what he was doing in France if he could not be used in the first team.
“I really don’t know what the problem is, they should tell me if I have a problem. They should at least try me out and see where the problem is. It’s like it’s the officials who want me and the coach doesn’t want me,” he said.
Katongo said football was about being in action and that the treatment he was getting from Rennes was putting his career in jeopardy.
“I have only been used in the second team, I wasn’t bought for the second team. Being a player, I have to be in action most of the time but like this people would think I am a failure. I don’t like it this way, they have really brought me down. I am still energetic and I want to play competitive football. The bottom line is I want to leave. If they can’t use me, it’s worthless being here (France),” he said.
The midfielder who was instrumental during Zambia’s 1-0 victory against Swaziland in the June 21 2010 joint African/World Cup qualifier said he would rather play for a local side than being sidelined in the name of being a professional.
“Yes, everyone wants to play professional football but it’s better playing for a local club where you can frequently be used than being sidelined for the sake of being professional. This is as bad as masquerading as a professional,” he said.
Katongo is part of Herve Renard’s squad for the Togo clash and was also part of the few professional players that joined the team for a 10-day training stint in Germany.
[Times of Zambia]
60 Comments on "Felix Katongo:It’s better playing for a local team than being sidelined for the sake of being a Pro"
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Seen from afar on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 10:56 AM
Any other clubs out there, sign Felix, Rennes is clearly not doing him justice.
Dinamo on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 11:08 AM
Way to think Felix.Ive always wished that one day our players will begin to put their careers first & not money.In any career its important for a person to realise his abilities & potential ,this is what aids a person to demand for what he is worth.Our players can compete with world class stars but the problem is their attitude towards openness.Mbesuma is one guy who had a chance to challange the likes of Drogba but the guy couldn’t even open his mouth at Pompey.He expected the coach to start watching his DVDs from Chiefs when he could talk to the coach about is potential,abilities & his goals has a player.our players should begin to speak out for them to make great achievements like Great Kalu
pa chilata on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 11:42 AM
Bravo Felix, Bravo, i like your line of thot mwana and i hope you can pass on the message to the rest of your peers, we will always be behind, at least i will be such thoughts, viva positive attitude
ENOCK SIMUKONDE on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 11:58 AM
He sounds like he has another offer from somewhere!!!!!!! Any gossip in the grape vine ? Remember FC Cologne agents watched him in the game he played and was rated best perfomer on the day.
AS on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 12:03 PM
That is sad for Felix. I do understand from my own experinces that Europe is not an easy place to settle in and a foreigner needs strong mental capabilities to survive. Everything except for the ball which you will be kicking is different and hence you need time to settle in and know what is required. Iam in a different field altogther but can intepret what is going on in Felix’s scenario. I have had young friends of mine coming to UK to work and nearly half of them have had to go back to either Zambia/RSA/Botswana etc coz of the same problem of failing to adapt. Please Felix, you are already there and all you need to do is stick in and work harder, you are in an ‘academy’ coz most good players pass thru France and into the English Premeirship. If you think Angola or RSA is better, or rather you are not ready yet to ply your trade at a higher level, then you can go back. The guy must be bored and all he thinks is to pack his bags and go and drink beer every evening with friends back home, a practice which is not there here in europe.
Vincent Numbwa on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 12:32 PM
Stay on Felix and continue fighting for a first team place. If this seasons ends without success then you can talk to your agent to look for an altanative team withing france where you can have higher chances of game time.
Coming home should be off your lips there are alot more other clubs that can appreciate your services in France. Even a second division team can be a better altenative.
I like the atitude of value for the game aheard of money. Goodluck Felix.
Big Steve from SA on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 12:33 PM
I agree with AS, this in my opinion is just home sickness, nothing to do with proffessionalism and worth. He is at a very big club with very big expectations, he cannot, even with his level of talent, in all honesty exepect to be a regular so soon. he should be proud that even with all their depth he has even made the bench. Its been too short a time to be making calls to quit the club it takes time to establish yourself anywhere even in soccer. Felix at cosmos you were not a first team player now at a much bigger club you expect them to just throw you into the deep end. There must be a lot of Afriican players there that have come out of African leagues directly, speak to them and see how long it takes to establish your self for first team call ups dont just get annoyed because the next thing we will be thinking is that you are placing yoursellf on a platform a lot higher than you really are. Be realistic, keep your head up, soldier on with belief and it will happen. Europe is very hard my man, believe you me even with money in your pocket the adjjustmment always seems impossible at first. Felix stop crying and soldier on. Dont go to training with this attitude because then you will never achieve your destined altitude.
Sibs on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 1:59 PM
I tag along with AS,Vincent M. & Big Steve on this.Guys Felix joined Rennes in January 2008 & if i am not mistaken there was a problem with his papers being lost or something.The club could not register him for the last part of the 2007/2008 season cos he missed the transfer window end of January.
For me the real season for Felix is 2008/2009 and the club has only played 3 League games in the new season & the guy wants to throw in the towel?
It’s true he may be home sick so many factors come into play here including the language barrier. May be like Enock says the could be another club interested. For now Felix work hard you will break into the first team.
Just continue enjoying them French frys & admire some nice “French Cheeries” Yes i said admire bro.
Seen from afar on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 1:59 PM
Guys, there is having a good a attitude and there is being taken for a ride, you would think Rennes could have communicated a plan or a time frame to get into form if he wasn’t, or put him on the bench, but nothing, he is still thee indefinitely. I don’t think Rennes is worth their salt. There own loss.
Another thing in all these moves to Europe, which i’m fed up with and there should be laws against it. How many times do players go for trials at a club, sometimes even more than once at the same club, if a club signs a player they should know exactly where they are going to fit in. Be it first team, reserves, loaned off!!! Where? Either they tell you where you will play in a contract and stick to it, or they breach it. When Zambianfootball.net announces a players is going to a club, i want to know it’s that club…
rasp on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 2:23 PM
xcellent learn a lesson or else u wil rot in the reserves for the rest of yo life.come back and then take yo tym pliz dont rush.u r stil a good player for the national team futbal shud not be about the money it shud be passionate.
lukonde on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 2:24 PM
if there is a better offer please go for it young man,dot allow Rennes to take u 4 a ride. u r 2 gud 2 b abused – am serious! o de best felix
Alex on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 2:43 PM
Felix is one player who has been improving game after game. At afcon he was man of the match against sudan. My advice is for him to work extra hard whenever a chance avails especially during nation duty where he has game time. A better team will definately sight him and redeem him from that blind coach. Work hard my brother. Weelee
Sibs on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 3:31 PM
Seen from afar welcome back long time bro.
Seen from afar on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 4:09 PM
Thanks Sibs, i’m still here, just busy and keeping quiet.
Bo on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 4:55 PM
I’m impressed by the amount of effort being put in by the people on this website.However, I hope mistakes in grammer by the writers can be rectified. I have read a lot of articles on this website and I have noticed that the writers make a lot of gramatical errors. Even the title of this article has not being corrected written. What do you mean by local? Did you mean local team or local area or local league? Please improve your writing!
Bo on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 4:56 PM
I’m not sure if someone corrected the heading but try to reduce on gramatical errors.
jayda on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 5:47 PM
felix made a bold statement and i commend him for that its not every player that can want to return because they are not playing top flight football.
but then felix, try to sit down and look at what it is you lack? work on your weaknesses together with your coach so that you can improve your game, imagine your embarrassment if you entered a game and failed to perform after complaining?
i think felix is along the right path but should improve certain aspects of his game like his awareness on the pitch and technical ability, his goals to shots ratio is not so good. WORK ON IT!!!
AS on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 5:50 PM
Mr Bo, Iam sure you understand the Zambian English here and I do not think you are the right person to start correcting the language.We are not in an exam sitting for this ‘foreign’ language, please.
The usual contributors understand perfectly unless Renard doesnt, but what do you expect from a French. hahahahaha.
Anyway, Felix must stay with the French, Lukonde and Rasp above are offside in this matter. Felix, is not be taken for granted or segregated no, just work hard.
Clichy, Song, Adebayor and Walcott etc were on the bench or not even there at all, but they never left Arsenal, and today after Ashley Cole, Flamini,Thiery have left, they are now playing. Please Felix, perserveir.
Dinamo on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 6:43 PM
Mr Bo,just like AS has told you, every sector in society has its own language & this site is strictly for soccer fans & the language we use is football if you cant understand a few basics then you dont belong here.How come you are the only one who has even failed to get the meaning of “LOCAL” in this context??. Stop bouring us with your English lectures & please learn to appreciate other people’s efforts than becoming a freelance EDITOR.We are busy trying to fight for the inclusion of Sinkala in the team
VEEP on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 6:47 PM
Am challenged by Felix.
Who remember Kapambwe Mulenga and Gibby Mbasela. I remember Gibby almost fought the coach in Zim Vs Zed for the love of playing soocer. Who remember that and he was immediately thrown in action and he caused a lot trouble, i remember Globbler crawling when Gibby came dribbling through the right wing.
This guy reminds me of these soccer PALADINS, the loved football, beaching them was a sin against them, a coach needed good reason not play Kapambwe Mulenga. This was because of his altitude torwards play soocer. Christopher Katongo, in my opinion is not as telented as Felix, but because of his work rate and the love of football, he is becoming a star.
Kelvin Mutale always promised soccer fans goals, even when he did not deliver, we aplauded his desire to score goals.
Felix is the right mind about soccer. He likes playing, thats good, I hope the coach is listening. FELIX, DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU. Bebartov has openly told spar that he wants to leave for old traford, so, do so as well, tell the coach, don’t talk to us. Tell him you want to play or be loaned
Bg up man
Dinamo on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 6:57 PM
Bo,is your gramma correct in your comment ??.”even the tittle of this article has not being corrected written”. & has if its not enough you spell gramma has “grammer”.c’mon man if you are in second week has English student please TULEKE TWAPAPATA.
VEEP on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 7:09 PM
Laissez notre anglais seul, ceci est causerie du football, leçons non anglaises
This is Renard’s language. Renard, you are well come to contribute in french, this soccer chat
Mabbwana on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 7:58 PM
Bo mwana, even you improve your grammar. Check your 1st posting & correct it. Ha ha, u are right & I guess your point is worth noting by Zamfut but u bare with us on our Zambian English like my man AS has said we understand it & it adds humor to our aproach.
Justice Kafusha on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 9:02 PM
The issue of this boy is sad, but as at now the BIG question is, why the hell do these clubs buy players they can not use. I think these clubs are crap cause how do you buy a player and not give him a chance to prove himself, takwaba. I fail to understand, advise to Felix is ask the coach to tell you why he is not playing you, with out an answer you end up becoming mad mwaiche.
comment moderatedAlex on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 9:51 PM
BO GRAMMER. That gramma error CORRECTED WRITTEN is supposed to read written correctly. On this site we talk football not gramma WAUMFWA MUNANDI. Techi fyo, bola mukabansa. weelee
Billy SA on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 7:24 AM
Justice Kafusha, we dont want insults on this blog. Jusy put across your points. There’s no need for you to include the last statement. I know you are a sarcastic person going by the previous comments on Lusaka Times. Contribute football bro.
Sibs on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 8:53 AM
Justice please i hold you in high esteem but your comment above is not good.We don’t want the language from LT website.This for me is the first insult i have seen here.Like Billy SA says, “lets talk football my Man”.
Magic on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 9:42 AM
Greetings Gentlemen, let us keep things in perspective before getting our knickers in a knot. Before this site there was no frequent and fairly reliable sources of Zambian football news from our footballing diaspora. There was no forum for all chipolopolo lovers to interact,agree,disagree,educate and be educated about footballing matters without fear or favour. This site has given us that. It remains primarily a football site – and lets keep it that way. Good grammar should be encouraged but it should not be the crux of the matter.
Moving onto Felix, I dont think you should move yet. He is just having trouble adjusting to life abroad and that is what it takes to be a pro. You will learn more there playing in the reserves than playing in Zambia or RSA. Training methods are for more advanced and that is what you need to elevate your game. Running away is not the solution. Ask your self why you are not being picked. Ask the coaching staff, work on your shortcomings. Shinning locally or at AFCON does not assure you of anything in Europe. It is a cut throat business and that is why many Zambians dont make it in the top flight of Europe. We lack the tenacity that the West Africans have. Stickability – that is what makes a man. I believe you have abundant footballing talent, dont go Mbesuma on us! Give it a season, see how it goes. For Zambia to rise we need more footballers playing for quality European teams because that is the pinnacle of club football. Look at how Adebayor changes the complexion of the Togo team. Kanoute and Sedou for Mali. Drogba, Kalou, Dindane,Kone,Toure,Eboue for Ivory Coast. Mikel, Kanu, Yobo,Taiwo for Nigeria. Eto, Geremi and Bikey for Cameroun. (Egypt are an exception due to the strength of their local league). Until our league is up to scratch, we need players plying their trade at good European teams if Chipolopolo is to be competitive. Go on my son, hang in there – ka kabalika!
mabbwana on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 9:57 AM
On this site we contribute, agree, disagree and step on each others toes but never sink so low as Justice has. I join my fellow bloggers in strongly condemning the language used by Justice. We will promote and encourage respectability this is why we applaud every good contribution.
Billy SA on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 10:52 AM
Ba Magic, I agree with everything you have said.
Big Steve from SA on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 11:01 AM
Justice, eish my man wont say anything to you cause I might just go down the same route as you did in your comment only it will directed at you. Lets keep it respectable my man.
Bo, some joker you must be taking specks out of peoples eyes before you take the 200KG log out of yours. I hope you do not teach english or anything close to it cause who ever is under your wing and learning any sort of English from you is treading dangerous ground. Back to topic, those of you who think Felix should leave high quality training facilities and pitches to go and play at woodlands cannot be serious. Felix has only seriously been at the club this season, so we are talking what two and a half months and you think that he already has a leg to stand on to boldly go to the coach and say he wants to play!!!!! people C’MON!!!!! the time has been way too short for him to think hhe can now call the shots. Lets not encourage unjustified arroogance amoungst our boys, if he keeps working hard it wiill happen, it might even take half a season, cant start crying in 2.5 months.
Kalampa ni devil on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 7:38 PM
magic you have summed it up all on the gramma issue.
To Zamfoot, please continue what you are doing but as magic has put improvements are encouraged.
Thanks alot for live scores (and please don’t forget the Togo match), league tables, photos, utuma rumour mill.
Lastly more player profiles please and whats the latest on Mayuka and Kola moves abroad.
Gilbert on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:26 PM
Clearly, our player’s need to realise that its hard out there and there is need to work hard for one to excel.However, felix is one player whose skill is there for all to see, whether French, Zambian and even Chinese! if he’s not being treated right-there is no ‘wait and see’- the lad should move on! To our young lads craving professional deals, you would do well to remember that what is equally important is for you to have game time aside the bulging purse.
Gibby on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 8:28 PM
Felix should just work hard and one day he will have the last laugh.Soccer is about discipline and hard work and i believe he has both so things can only get better