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Katongo, like Mwaruwari, used South African side Jomo Cosmos as a springboard to European football.

Now playing his football in China, Katongo pushed all the African stars into the shade at the 2012 Nations Cup finals with an irresistible show as he led from the front to power Zambia to their maiden title.

Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya, who has helped turn the Chipolopolo brand around since taking over as Football Association of Zambia president, is also set to grace the occasion.

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The Zambians will join South Africa’s Steven Pienaar, Samba Sow of Mali, El-Hadji Diouf of Senegal, Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba of Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon’s Alex Song, Nigeria’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Ghana’s Michael Essien.

Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari, South African defender Bongani Khumalo, Nwakwo and Chris Kanu and Emmanuel Adebayor are some of the active stars who are set to feature in the testimonial.

Retired stars likely to fly into Harare for the occasion include Nigerian legend Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Zimbabwe’s own Bruce Grobbelaar.
This galaxy of African football stars, both retired and active, is set to honour Mwaruwari as he officially bids international football farewell.