U23 players praise coaches Chris Katongo and Kalililo Kakonje
Zambia U23 midfielder Golden Mashata and goalkeeper Jeban Tembo speak about the positive energy 2012 AFCON champions and now coaches Christopher Katongo and Kalililo Kakonje bring into the team.
2012 AFCON-winning captain Katongo is now Zambia U23’s physical trainer.
This is Katongo’s first national team appointment after serving as Green Buffaloes coach between 2018 and 2020.
Former Chipolopolo goalkeeper Kakonje is the Zambia U23 goalkeeper coach after serving with Zambia Under 17 team.
Kakonje is full-time in the same capacity at Zambian champions Red Arrows.
He was previously Zambia U17 national team trainer.
Mashata said it is a privilege for the team to have the opportunity of learning from Katongo and Kakonje in the U23 camp during the 2023 U23 AFCON second-round qualifier against Sierra Leone.
“They bring energy for us, and it is a motivation to know that they have won the AFCON title before. So if they have done it before, we hope to do it too,” Mashata said.
And Tembo said it is a blessing to have Kakonje training him as both Arrows and U23 national team goalkeeper coach.
“They bring into the team a lot of energy. You know, they have also played at U23 before and know what it is all about and, on top of that, won the AFCON,” Tembo said.
“It is a motivation, and them helping us every step of the way in the team is a big motivation for us.”
Meanwhile, Mashata and Tembo are hoping the team will not disappoint the bench this weekend in the final leg against Sierra Leone at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Zambia snatched a last-minute equaliser in the first leg played on October 22 in Monrovia to finish 1-1.
Mashata won Zambia’s penalty in the 88th minute, and midfielder Joshua Mutale converted after Sierra Leone striker Alie Conteh converted a 57th-minute spot-kick.