By Mubukwanu Kaingu
FORMER Chipolopolo Zambia midfielder Joel Bwalya says striker Patson Daka’s good spell in December at English club Leicester City yet again shows his strong character to beat the odds following his tough first half of the season.
Daka on Saturday scored his first brace of the season in Leicester’s 3-0 home win over Rotherham as he continues to make a strong push after three months of being a peripheral figure in the opening half of the 2023/2024 campaign.
The goals were Daka’s fourth of the season for the English Championship leaders which have all come over the last three weeks in which he has made the starting XI for the first time in the league this term.
Bwalya said in an interview yesterday that Daka has yet again shown that he cannot be written off with his strong will to be a winner.
“I think it is very remarkable that he has turned it around because, as a nation, we all know what he can do,” Bwalya said.
“From the time he came on the scene around 2013 from the Airtel Rising Stars to Youth U17 national level to playing at a tender age playing for the national team you could tell that he had something special.
“He has shown again how strong-minded he is going as far back as the criticism he had received when he was at Power Dynamos and in the national team for not scoring.”
Bwalya said Daka’s style of play may not be to some people’s tastes but that every coach who has handled him understands the unique attributes that the Chipolopolo striker possesses.
“He is a natural goal scorer and very good in the air. I worked with him from Airtel Rising Stars to the youth U17 national team and I knew he had something special,” Bwalya said.
“The numbers also support his story throughout the years of his career so far with the goals he has scored at all levels which is undisputed.
“Patson has a nose for goals and he is the kind of player who, if he has two chances, one will go in. A back pass or some sloppy defending and he will punish you with his quick pace and aggression off the ball. When he gets a chance, he will score.”
Bwalya said he believes Daka’s situation in England where he has seen very little action is normal in football.
“It is not easy playing in the EPL and yes they are better players than him but one needs to be patient and work very hard and work on his strengths like he has done so far,” Bwalya said.
“I am pleased for him and I have faith he will also continue doing justice for us in our national team.”
