Patson Daka (right) drapes himself in the Zambia flag - Photo Daka Facebook.
Leicester City striker Patson Daka has declared that any player can deliver the goods for Zambia after they overcame criticism and the absence of regulars to book the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification ticket.
Daka’s comment comes after Avram Grant’s men overcame growing criticism and an injury crisis to stun Ivory Coast 1-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday. The 2012 champions sealed their place at the next continental football showpiece with a Group G game to spare against Sierra Leone on Tuesday.
In reaction, the injured Foxes forward wrote on his Facebook page: “A huge shout out to the fans for always coming out in numbers to support the team despite the difficult start to the campaign, both your negative and positive criticism has been a big factor in helping the team achieve its goal and give you a smile you deserve.”
The 26-year-old also suggested that no star is bigger than the national team, saying other players can deliver the goods. “One thing for sure is any player in the team is capable of delivering results, there’s still room for learning and improvement to get better but we will never give up just like you never give up on the team,” Daka said.
The qualifying campaign was far from smooth with Chipolopolo or the Copper Bullets facing an injury crisis, including that of Daka, who has been unavailable since August when he limped off during pre-season matches with Leicester.
Zambia’s hope was on Saudi Arabia-based Fashion Sakala but he was unavailable in three qualifying games after refusing to apologise to Grant for claiming that the Israeli coach favours players who belong to the stable of his management agency in team selection.
Italy-based striker Lameck Banda also missed three consecutive qualifying matches, including back-to-back against Chad, just like Italy’s Cagliari striker Kingstone Mutandwa, midfielder Edward Chilufya, captain Lubambo Musonda and midfielder Miguel Chaiwa.
The absence of the key players, an opening 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast in Abidjan, a far-from-convincing 3-2 win over Sierra Leone, and a home goalless draw with minnows Chad saw critics baying for Grant’s blood over his hardline stance on Sakala who is now also injured.
However, all such challenges are history after Yanga FC striker Kennedy Musonda scored the only goal to win it for Zambia against the reigning champions and secure back-to-back AFCON appearances for the Copper Bullets.
Commenti