By Amaechi Agbo

Former Zambia captain, Christopher Katongo has accused North Africa Clubs at the ongoing 2021 CAF Champions League of racism and seeking undue advantage.

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner expressed sadness over the attitude of North African clubs who complained and petitioned CAF every now and then particularly when results do no favour them.

North African clubs in the CAF Champion’s League – Wydad, Al Ahly Raja Casablanca have all complained at one point or the other to CAF over “mistakes in officiating,”

The development Katongo found worrisome

“I think it’s disgusting what we see with the North African teams. Wydad complained, Al Ahly complained and Raja complained about the Referees.

“How many times we have seen North African teams winning unfairly against other parts of African Clubs? But not even one complained and cried like little girl to Caf.

“Al Ahly played Sundowns and Raja played Pirates, maybe this is about because the Caf president is from Southern Africa?

“What disgust me is that I watched these games, Raja and Al Ahly Two players should have been red carded, but they don’t talk about it, they only talk about what suits them,” he said.

Katongo accused the clubs of “hating black referees” in preference to Arab officials.

“What I noticed they hate the fact that the Referees in charge were black. They wanted an Arab Ref to side with them, like what happened to Kaizer Chiefs against Wydad getting unfair treatment but they never launched a complaint to Caf despite given two unfair red cards.

“Kaizer Chiefs played Horoya, they were denied two legitimate goals, they didn’t write a crying letters to Caf, instead they took it like men and soldier on,” the former Golden Arrows player said

Continuing, the 2021 AFCON Player of the tournament added that the days of clubs outside North African region better unfair results during matches are over.

“West African teams, East Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa have been captured by these North Africans thinking they are better they can’t lose a football game against us.

“We have seen teams from other regions getting unfair treatment in North Africa. Playing against North African teams in North Africa you already know your team will Concede an unfair penalty.

“But now they can see those days are over. And with this I just wish the Caf president to relocate Caf headquarters out of their territory, so, they can smell the coffee that time for corruption is over, now football will be fair to all in Africa.”

Katongo won the Player of the Tournament during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he was the captain for the winning side, having beaten Ivory Coast 8–7 on penalties after a goalless match, scoring the first of the penalties himself.

He made 105 appearance for Zambia finding back of the net on 23 occasions.