Zambia National Team Skipper Christopher Katongo has lashed out at South Africa’s Bafana Bafana leading striker, Benni McCarthy, for his unsporting behaviour.
In a recent interview with a local South African tabloid obtained by ZANIS sports,
Katongo advised McCarthy to start leading by example to other African footballers as
he plays in the ‘ big’ English league where many fans and players see him.
” Well Benni should start playing leading by example because he plays in a big
English league, where many players and fans see him,” he said.
The Zambian Skipper who plays Brandy IF football club in Denmark said during the
qualifying match McCarthy bragged to Zambian plays that they are nothing as they
cannot compare toi how much money he has made.
” Bennie was saying to our players ‘ who are you? I’ve got a lot of money than you.’
If Bennie has a lot of money , he should keep it to himself,” Katongo told the
newspaper.
He said Bennie became frustrated as things were not going well for Bafana Bafana
saying despite this, he was out of order to say what he said about the Zambian
players.
He urged Bennie to play football and not to tell people about his money saying he (
Bennie) might lose the respect from most Zambiansif he contnued saying ,’ things
like that.’
Bennie’s action to drag a Zambian player after being red carded for a second yellow
card brought the match to a halt as it attracted reaction from Zambian players.
Katongo scored a hattrick with in 21 minutes of the first half against South Africa
a defeat described by Bafana Bafana coach Alberto Carlos as the waste defeat in his
21 years of coaching career.
The Zambian skipper who attributed Zambia’s shock defeat of South Africa at their
home turf to team work also took a swipe at the lewd comments by Television
commentators during the match.
He said despite the uinfavourable comments made on the Zambian players, the
chipolopolo boys overcame all odds to win the match.
” We proved our our point on the field, not by talking too much. I always say that
talk is cheap,’ Katongo said.
And Zambian defender Billy Mwanza supported Katongo’s sentiments saying as he was
marking the South African striker he was being told about his (Bennie ) money.
Mwanza alleged that Bennie continued insulting Zambians through out the match.
” I guess it was due to frustrations because I was marking him tightly. Bennie is a
great player, but what he was saying reflects badly on him, ” said the Zambian
defender.