Christopher Katongo
Christopher Katongo is a celebrated Zambian footballer known for his impactful career as a striker.
He won the BBC's African Footballer of the Year award in 2012, inspiring many young players in Zambia.
Katongo was the captain of the Zambia national team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012.
Biography
Early Life
Christopher Katongo was born in Mufulira, Zambia, where he began his football journey playing for local clubs Butondo West Tigers and Kalulushi Modern Stars. His talent quickly became evident, leading him to join Green Buffaloes F.C. in 2001, where he made a significant impact by scoring multiple goals in CAF Confederation Cup matches.
Career
Katongo's professional career took off when he moved to South Africa to play for Jomo Cosmos F.C. in 2004. His journey continued internationally, with stints at Brøndby IF in Denmark and Arminia Bielefeld in Germany. In 2011, he signed with Henan F.C. in China, marking a new chapter in his career. He later returned to South Africa, playing for Lamontville Golden Arrows and Bidvest Wits before rejoining Green Buffaloes F.C. in 2015.
On the international stage, Katongo made his debut for the Zambia national team in 2003 and earned over 100 caps. He captained the team to victory in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also won the Player of the Tournament award. His leadership and skill on the field inspired many young Zambian players, and he was recognized as the BBC's African Footballer of the Year in 2012.
Coaching and Personal Life
After retiring from professional play, Katongo began pursuing coaching qualifications in December 2016. He remains a significant figure in Zambian football, with his younger brother Felix also representing the national team. Katongo's legacy continues to influence aspiring footballers in Zambia and beyond.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
As of December 2016, he had begun training for his coaching qualifications.
Katongo made his international debut for Zambia in 2003, and after scoring a hat-trick against South Africa in September 2007, Katongo was promoted in the Zambian Army from corporal to sergeant. Katongo has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Katongo won the Player of the Tournament during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he was the captain for the winning side, having beaten Ivory Coast 8–7 on penalties after a goalless match, scoring the first of the penalties himself. He was called up to Zambia's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. In October 2014 he was thrown out of a Zambian training camp, and in December 2014 he was left out of Zambia's preliminary squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He was in the 2016 preliminary squad for the CHAN.
Born in Mufulira, Katongo played with Butondo West Tigers and Kalulushi Modern Stars before moving to Green Buffaloes in 2001. Whilst at Buffaloes, Katongo twice scored four times in CAF Confederation Cup games. In 2004, Katongo moved to South African side Jomo Cosmos, before moving to Danish side Brøndby IF in January 2007. In August 2008, Katongo moved again, this time to German club Arminia Bielefeld. In July 2010, he moved to Greece to play for Skoda Xanthi. In July 2011, Katongo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Chinese Super League side Henan Construction. He made his Super League debut on 10 July in a 0–0 home draw against Changchun Yatai. His first goal for Henan came, in a 2–1 away defeat, against Dalian Shide on 10 September 2011. In March 2014, Katongo joined South African side Golden Arrows on a four-month deal, three months after leaving the Chinese club.
- League
- Bundesliga
- League
- 2. Bundesliga
- Club
- Zambia men's national football team (2003–)
- Club
- Zambia national under-20 football team
- Club
- Jomo Cosmos F.C. (2004–2007)
- Club
- Green Buffaloes F.C. (2001–2004)
- Club
- Arminia Bielefeld (2008–2010)
- Club
- Brøndby IF (2007–2008)
- Club
- Henan F.C. (2011–2013)
- Club
- Xanthi F.C. (2010–2011)
- Club
- Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. (2014–2014)
- Club
- Bidvest Wits F.C. (2014–2015)
- Club
- Green Buffaloes F.C. (2015–)
- National team
- Zambia
Personal
Clubs
- Zambia men's national football team2003current
- Green Buffaloes F.C.2015current
- Zambia national under-20 football teamcurrent
- Green Buffaloes F.C.2001–2004
- Jomo Cosmos F.C.2004–2007
- Brøndby IF2007–2008
- Arminia Bielefeld2008–2010
- Xanthi F.C.2010–2011
- Henan F.C.2011–2013
- Bidvest Wits F.C.2014–2015
- Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C.2014–2014
Played together with
Aaron MokoenaBidvest Wits F.C. · 2012–2013- Aaron MokoenaJomo Cosmos F.C. · 1997–1998
- Abdelaziz AhanfoufArminia Bielefeld · 2006–2007
- Abderrahim OuakiliXanthi F.C. · 2001–2003
- Abdoul Salam SowXanthi F.C. · 1998–1999
- Abduwali AbletHenan F.C. · 2012
- Abisai ShiningayamweJomo Cosmos F.C. · 2006–2013
Abraham Gneki GuiéJomo Cosmos F.C. · 2006–2007
Adalbert ZafirovArminia Bielefeld · 1998–1998- Adam EckersleyBrøndby IF · 2006–2006
Adam Larsen KwaraseyBrøndby IF- Adaílton José dos Santos FilhoHenan F.C. · 2012–2012
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Christopher Katongo is a Zambian former professional footballer who played as a striker. At international level, he amassed over 100 caps between 2003 and 2016 for the Zambia national team. He is an Africa Cup of Nations winner and won the BBC's African Footballer of the Year award in 2012, winning just over 40% of the public vote. His win is stated to have inspired a number of young players in Zambia.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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