Zambia legend Katongo explains what makes AFCON unique and special

Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Zambia legend Christopher Katongo has talked about the importance of the tournament in the African continent.

Katongo, who was part of the Zambia 2012 AFCON triumph, remains one of Africa’s most respected football icons as a result of his heroics both at club and national team level.

“AFCON is special because it reflects the rich cultures of our continent. Every edition has its own identity — from the fans to the rhythm of the matches,” Katongo told CAFOnline.com.

“It’s not just about football; it’s about pride, history, and representing your people. The level of competition keeps growing because African football is constantly improving, and that makes every tournament a fresh challenge.”

On what he expects from the 2025 AFCON, he said: “AFCON 2025 will be another exciting chapter for African football. I’m looking forward to seeing fair play, unity, and great football.

AFCON is already one of the biggest tournaments

“My hope is that the tournament continues to bring Africa together — showcasing our talent, our culture, and our passion for the game.”

Katongo added: “AFCON is already one of the biggest tournaments in the world. The whole world knows about it now, and every year it grows stronger. The quality of football, the organization, and the global audience all continue to improve. It’s our biggest trophy as Africans, and we should be proud of it.”

On winning the 2012 AFCON with Zambia, Katongo explained: “That victory inspired a whole generation. It showed that any team capable of qualifying for AFCON can dream of winning it.

“In Zambia, young players began to believe they could make it to the top. The motivation to represent the national team grew stronger, and across Africa, smaller nations started to approach the tournament with more confidence and ambition.”

The AFCON Morocco 2025 will kicks off on December 21, bringing together the continent’s best footballing nations for African football’s most prestigious competition.