.Katongo

By FELIX MALUNGA –

ZAMBIA’S 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning captain, Christopher Katongo has been released by South African Premiership side, Bidvest Wits after failing to impress.
Katongo, who joined Wits last season, will not have his one-year contract renewed when it expires next month and coach Gavin Hunt has since recruited former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United midfielder, Daine Klate as possible replacement.
South African media reported that the former Chipolopolo skipper failed to reproduce the same prolific form which he displayed during his 2004-2006 time at Jomo Cosmos.
Wits chief executive officer, Jose Ferreira told South African online football magazine, Kickoff that Katongo was leaving the club at the end of June.
The 32-year-old Zambian has made eight league starts in 17 appearances and has only scored twice for the Students.
Katongo has spent only one season with Wits after joining the club from Golden Arrows last year.
Apart from the 2012 AFCON Most Valuable Player, Wits are said to be contemplating releasing Ethiopian, Getaneh Kebede.
According to Soccer Laduma, Kebede and Katongo have struggled to maintain consistency in their game throughout the season hence the club’s decision to offload the duo.
The 23-year-old Ethiopian has made just five league stars in 10 appearances and has bagged two goals in his second season at the club.
Kebede’s deal with the Milpark-based club is set to expire in June 2016.
Before joining Wits, Katongo, who started his career at Butondo Western Tigers, has played for Kalulushi Modern Stars and Green Buffaloes.
He later trekked to South Africa where he joined Jomo Cosmos and then moved to Europe with his first stop being Danish side, Brondby before shifting to Germany at Arminia Bielefeld.
Katongo shifted to Greece where he joined Skoda Xanthi for a season before flying to the far east at Chinese club, Henan Construction. He later returned to South Africa and starred for Golden Arrows.