Herve Renard has said Felix Katongo’s 2012 Africa Cup ticket has been downgraded from confirmed to standby.
Felix’s modest showing against Nigeria has forced Renard to give the Green Buffaloes midfielder who is struggling with fitness issues an 11th hour deadline to be ready for the Africa Cup.
“He was average against Nigeria but it wasn’t a surprise it is normal he is in the process to pass the test,” Renard said before departure for week-long tour of India where Zambia will play two friendlies against their hosts in Goa on November 25 and 29.
“At the moment no, but the Africa Cup is on January 21, that’s two months. There is enough time if he is able to make it.
“I like Felix Katongo but am not sure for him to be in the final 22. If I left him at home how will he improve?”
Felix is part of the 20-man India-bound team that comprised of 16 home-based players and four foreign-based players.
Renard also warned that three foreign-based players must impress him before Christmas to justify their call-ups.
Defenders Francis Kasonde and Hichani Himoonde from TP Mazembe who are fringe players for both club and country have two games in India to try and make Renard happy.
Renard said he is also looking forward to seeing how Chisamba Lungu of Ural Sverdlovsk Oblast in Russia performs in India.
“They have one month to show us that they can compete,” Renard said.
Lungu is damn good player…he will impress and do well…Copper bullet for life, with or without the Chinese!
India, are we playing cricket or what? Zambia why not go and play high school kids in Brazil, they are much stronger than the Indian national team. Does India have a soccer team mwe bantu?
# 2. India YES has a National Team. A national Team that is very GOOD at Playing Cricket.
Good move on Felix. I was also hopping on watching how he performs b4 trashing him. We just do not have a large base to select players from.
FELIX KATONGO LIKES BEER A LOT + WOMEN.THAT’S WHY HIS PERFORMANCE HAS GONE DOWN.HE IS ALL OVER WITH HIS CHRYSLER
Ba Great Galu, you cant even organise a proper friendly. Its better for Chikolopelo boys to even play Mukobeko prisoners than Indian Criketers. India sure, India? Awe takwaba bane. India? I’ve never heard any country playing India.
Forget what Felix likes or doez not like, the fact iz he iz one of the best playerz Zambia haz at the moment despite being clubless, just let him get bet back hiz fitness. Ask some high profile English Premiership playerz about posh carz, gambling, booze and night life…Â
YOU GUYS DOUBTING INDIA AS A SOCCER POWERHOUSE. ARE YOU AWARE THAT THEY HAVE THE LIKES OF PATEL, MUHAMMED, AND ABDULLA IN THEIR RANKS? ALL SOCCER GREATS. HEY, SPICE COUNTRY HERE COMES CHIPOLOPOLO
For your own information RSA will also be playing India sometime next year. Sometimes you need to practice against weak opponents in order to gain confidence.
True that is!!!
Is this coach Gay? He really likes or Loves Felix? Be careful young man u just got married few months ago now u want to be piped kumatako?????/
When i was a boy in Ndola,India came to play the then KK XI and ucar asked whether indians can play football and he promised to demolish them and yes he did.I cant recall the score but it was huge 11-0 or 9-0 something like that.This team we have cant do it,they are just not good enough.They need to prove to me and the nation at large that they can play soccer.GOD BLESS ZAMBIA.
It is true the young man likes his castle at Chis Corner.
who has mwaka`s number,send to me 0965564321 350usd reward it wont be long before they separate with this boy,her dream was not for this boy to keep her in zambia eating dust pie but out there where the pay comes in green bucks,so ninombaline fye ninshi twatampa ukumwafwa
@chino chansele be less negative and you will see more interesting things in the world. Don’t wish others ill so that you can fulfill your own selfish needs if you are a young man-channel your energies more effectively.
Renard likes Felix but hates Jonas Sakuwaha..period! And ba FAZ pliz involve George Lwandamina  he knows the strengths/weaknesses of all the former U20 players now comprising the Snr Chipolopolo…players like Fwayo, Mayuka, Clifford, Rainford, William Njovu. Old croonies like Given, Chamanga, Felix, kasonde must be be dropped..they just take up places which belong to better players-they are finished. Give Chivuta a chance as well, Mweene has grown wings & thinks he’s irreplaceable, Kakonje is no good an option. Joseph looks tired. I like the work rate of Chansa & Mbesuma though the latter i think must be used as a super sub. In defence bring back Chintu. Our backline & frontline need sharpening.Â
indian is a week link in as far as soccer is concerned but guess what the zed team is very weak at the moment they may even come back with two lost match games from india and when they try to their strength it could a loss and a draw check this out. Our team need motivation and confidence build up coupled with a session of physic and football tactics.
@11 ca-fu, indeed you were a toddler, we played these cricketers at the then dag stadium in ndola. late kaunda was the goalkeeper. i tell you the only thing we learnt from these chapadi eating guys is how to fight. the late kaunda used his mascular body to protect one of our players after he was chased all over the field and sort refugee behind kaunda. maybe this trip is to go and atone for that.
The only thing affecting Felix is the fact that he hasn’t been playing with the team mates for a long time of period now. Worse he is playing for a small club “Green Buffaloes”. In our country we look upon these players like Christopher Katongo,Felix Katongo,Mbesuma etc but look at the clubs they play for?? Very small Clubs! It is time to push most of our players overseas.
@ #8 Mwebantu you are right India has a pretty descent squad , remember the great Brazilian Zico had soccer clinics..For your information India beat Namibia 2-0 last year in a friendly..Football has changed..Ask the likes of Egypt ,Cameroon ,SA , Togo & Nigeria why they couldnt qualify for AFCON 2012 ?
@ #8 Mwebantu you are right India has a pretty descent squad , remember the great Brazilian Zico had soccer clinics in India..For your information India beat Namibia 2-0 last year in a friendly..Football has changed..Ask the likes of Egypt ,Cameroon ,SA , Togo & Nigeria why they couldnt qualify for AFCON 2012 ?
Filix is a very good player, i don’t know why Zambians should be talking about him…..i watchd Felix recently playing very good game at Woodlands stadium,he was out standing….