Leicester: Daka’s fascinating life in and out of football

Patson Daka has been a sensation for Leicester City. Though with limited chances, he has remained calm and positive by focusing on adjusting in England.

During the international break, Patson Daka joined his national team of Zambia to play their last game in the World Cup qualifiers. With no hopes of securing a qualification, his trip to his homeland didn’t end as a dull affair.

Patson Daka is loved by his country; the outpouring of Zambian support towards LCFC is a testament to this. His appearances in the Premier League and the Europa League have been celebrated nationwide by his native land.

Poetically, the patient Zambian forward found his first of many goals against the globally renowned Manchester United. It was in the 91st minute in Leicester’s 4-2 win over United. More celebrations followed courtesy of the national pride when he bagged an astonishing feat of scoring four goals against Spartak Moscow.

Representing Zambia, on the global stage, Daka couldn’t have done anything better to make his country proud. His fellow countryman Enock Mwepu has found his footing while playing and scoring for Brighton against Liverpool. Please click the below link to move onto the subsequent page of the article.

"“It was a distraction. The whole country was united in excitement. You could feel it everywhere. Everybody was talking about it, including the president.” – said Lee Kawanu, the man who has helped direct Daka’s career, and has built Kafue Celtic up from the non-league to the Zambia Super League. Source: Daily Mail."

Daka’s turbulent pathway leading to Leicester City

Things were not so smooth for Daka in his early years. Though he managed to become known as a top footballing talent, the uphill climb was tough. Estimates of him as a potent talent landed him on the national side when he was just 16. There, he was told to adapt as a lone striker. He struggled to replicate the instructions. The lack of goals meant that ardent Zambian nationalists turned hostile towards him.

He was greeted with boos eclipsing any cheer. They thought he was over-promised as a prospect. These things were not enough to hold him back. Leading from the front, he helped Zambia to win the U20 African Nations Cup. He became Africa’s Young Player of the Year. He maturely overcomes adversity, and his humble upbringing has a lot to credit for this particular trait.

Blue Army fans know by now that Daka comes off as a generous young player. He hasn’t forgotten his roots from where he sprouted. His ex-teammates and friends at Kafue Celtic, where it all began, still hold him to the highest regard. Daka’s father was also a winger in the Zambia Super League.

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.”"

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.