Zambia has always been blessed with great strikers since time in memorial. Zambian Football is synonymous with great strikers like Kenneth “Bubble” Malitoli,Collins Mbesuma, The great Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu and many others.
Well, A new star is born in U20 striker Fashion Sakala Jr. The skilful forward combines Pace, Talent, Skill, Tricks and intelligence.
When he arrived at Sunset stadium not many people thought he would develop into the player he is today.
He is a very versatile player who can play in many positions. The art of scoring goals is one which he has mastered and does so with easy. Many football gurus have tipped him to become yhe face of Zambian Football.
EARLY FOOTBALL LIFE
Fashion started his football career when he was very young. He is a son of a former Footballer, Who used to train with him everyday he knocked off from school.
He started playing football with Chizimati F.C. He grew up in a village with no academies, Hence he was forced to play Chimpombwa ( a ball made of plastics).
Fashion went to Chizongwe Technical High School and used to play in the school team. It is here where Mr Timothy Kafa Nyirenda got him and took him to his club called Kumawa stars, Mr Nyirenda started paying for his school fees at Tina Trust school and for everything else.
At Kumawa stars he played 17 games for and scored 35 Goal in the amateur league. His goals helped the team gain promotion to Division 3 in 2013. His goal scoring prowess continued in Division 3 where he played only 7 games and scored 13 Goals.
THE TURNING POINT
In 2013 he went to Livingstone for Inter-Provincial games, Where he played 6 games scoring 9 Goals.
Eastern Province where crowned Champions and Fashion was the tournaments topscorer, Out-scoring the likes Patson Daka and Conlyde Luchanga.
In the same year 2013, Nchanga Rangers became interested in him. He eventually made his move to Nchanga Rangers. In 2015, He made a deadly striking partnership with Patson Daka.
SENSATIONAL ZANACO
His move to Zanaco 2 seasons ago was a turn in the right direction as it made people to start noticing him. He played 22 league games for Zanaco and scored 11 goals. He become the darling of the fans with his dazzling skill and great eye for goal. He was a vital member of the 2016 Zanaco squad that won the league and reached the final of the Barclays cup. He played his last game for Zanaco on the 18th of February in the second leg of the CAF Champions league 1-0 win over APR and boy, did he give a great performance.
NATIONAL TEAM
He recently made his national team debut, though at youth level, When coach Beston Chambeshi included him in his COSAFA U20 team, And the new Zambian king of goals did not disappoint as he scored 4 goals in five games (most for a zambian palyers at that tournament) and helped Zambia to lift it’s 11th COSAFA U20 title.
MOVE TO SPARTAK MOSCOW
On the 14th of February Fashion Sakala Jr made his move to Russian Club Spartak Moscow on reported fee of K840, 000. He spent close to two weeks on trials and impressed the Technical bench after scoring 3 goals and making four assists.
Fashion could not believe he had made his move to Europe and was lost for words.
” It’s unbelievable”, he said ” Am telling you, I also can’t believe it”, he continued.
” I believe that God can answer our prayers”- he told Soka25East.com
Sakala who will only join the Rusian club at the end of March was confident of making Zambia proud by succeeding in Europe.
” I have set very high targets for myself and by God’s grace i will make it in Europe”- he said
“I know many people say Zambian players don’t do well in Europe like players from west Africa but am here to make Zambia proud”- he added
He might not be a Ucar but the boy is surely one blessed with massive talent and has potential to become one of the best strikers on the planet.
ZANACO APPEARANCE TOGETHER WITH FRIENDLIES
LEAGUE GAMES :22
GOALS :11
FRIENDLY GAMES :13
GOALS: 20
NATIONAL TEAM APPEARANCE COSAFA
GAMES :5
GOALS: 4
FRIENDLY GAMES: 7
GOALS: 16
TOTAL APPEARANCE IN 2016: GAMES 47
TOTAL NUMBER OF GOALS: 44 GOALS
