Zambian skipper ‘Katongo’ says he will shock Ghana again

Zambian skipper Christopher Katongo says there will be no margin of error in the remaining four matches in the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers. Katongo said having put the World Cup qualification back on track, the Chipolopolo are geared to go all the way.

He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that there is no need to depend on ‘spoilers’ to secure qualification to the last round.

“We should not look at someone’s pocket. We have to win on our own. We have to win all the home matches and win away as well,” said Katongo, who scored the solitary goal in the 1-0 win over Ghana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola last Saturday.

He said as Chipolopolo skipper, he is determined to lead Zambia to the last round of the World Cup qualifying series. Katongo also said Lesotho’s goalless draw with Sudan last Sunday in Maseru is a morale booster to the Chipolopolo. He said Group D leaders Sudan, on four points, are within touching distance.

Ghana and Zambia have three points apiece but the West Africans have a better goal aggregate having scored seven compared to one for Zambia. Lesotho have a point. Katongo, who features for Chinese side Henan Jienye, said the remaining matches will be treated with respect.

He said days of underrating opponents are long gone. Zambia will be away to Lesotho on March 22, 2013, will host the southern Africans on June 7, will be at home to Sudan on June 14 and will wrap up the qualifying race with the grudge encounter against Ghana on September 6.