Leicester: Daka’s fascinating life in and out of football
By Akash Roy
Daka senior brought his son to Kafue Celtic when he was aged 12. Acting as a personal mentor to his son, Daka followed his learnings to establish himself from then on. Sadly the former died when the current Fox was a teenager.
From then, under the guidance of Kawanu, began his second phase of development. Dealing with adversaries, he never let his ambition derail his career path. Daka still visits his former club and Kawanu when he returns home during breaks. Last time, he paid the players’ bonuses and gifted them with football boots.
"“Luckily we won!” Kawanu joked about the bonuses. “None of us expected it. He does stuff like that. He has helped with training kits and football boots.”"
Daka’s first professional contract came when he was loaned to Super League club, Power Dynamos, where he earned only £25 per week.
"“When he was first scouted by a Super League team, I felt he was very young,” recalls Kawanu “He was just 15. But when I asked him, he was eager to go and play. I said to him. I’ll only let you go if your salary goes straight to your mum and he said ‘I am Ok with that as long as I get to play.”"
Daka has always kept his family above everything else. Daka first moved to FC Leifering- a feeder club to RB Salzburg. After joining the Austrian Bundesliga side, he became the champion in that league. Through an exponential rise in his earnings, he has taken good care of his family.
"“He has been looking after his mother and older sister,” added Kawanu. “He started on a small salary and eventually he got a bit more money. While he was still here, he managed to build a flat for his mother. He was investing every penny he got for the family. He is a good boy.”"
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The move to England football is rare for African players. Many nations are yet to feature their representation in the Premier League. Daka was one of them. Navigating the uncharted territory, Frederic Kanoute became a help to Kawanu. President Hakainde Hichilema has ushered his support for the player who remains to be regularly used by Brendan Rodgers.