“Guys, you need to be running like Mr Ferrari,” Wedson Nyirenda would tell his young players. He wasn’t talking about a luxury Italian sports car, but Fashion Sakala Jr., a young man from the small village of Kawele who has become a prominent figure in Zambian football’s exciting new wave of talent.
“That’s what I used to call him. He’d just drop his head and laugh,” recalls Nyirenda, the former Zambia national team manager. Nyirenda had the opportunity to coach the current Rangers striker at both under-20 and senior levels for Zambia, playing a role in his ascent to the European stage. Sakala’s defining characteristic, the one that immediately springs to mind for any coach who has worked with him, is his extraordinary speed.
“At the Under-20 African Cup of Nations (which Zambia hosted and won in 2017) he was simply too quick. Some opposing players even questioned his age because of his pace. I remember telling him he was becoming too fast, even outpacing the ball. His response was, ‘Coach, what should I do? You’re the one who instilled this speed in me, and now you’re telling me this!’”
The advice was simple: keep running, keep pursuing your dreams. This natural speed has been a constant throughout Fashion Sakala’s career, propelling him from humble beginnings to the prestigious UEFA Champions League with Rangers, where he even scored against Real Madrid.
Born in Kawele, a rural farming community near Chipata, close to the Malawian border, Fashion Sakala, the fifth of seven children and the eldest son, shouldered significant responsibility from a young age. Around the age of eight, he would craft homemade weapons like arrows and harpoons and venture into the nearby jungle to hunt for rabbits and impala, providing food for his family. This earned him the nickname “Captain” in his village, reflecting his role as a provider for his family, a responsibility he has amplified through his football success. Coming from a devout Christian family, Sakala’s faith was something Nyirenda connected with.
“He expressed his desire to be recognized for his accomplishments in football,” Nyirenda explains. “You could see his attentiveness and devotion when I preached to him; he would carry his bible without hesitation. I was among the first to bring the word of God to the players. You can distinguish those who are merely present from those who are truly engaged, and Fashion was genuinely invested, believing that God was guiding him through all challenges. I often gave sermons for 35 to 40 minutes the night before games. I would tell them, ‘There’s usually one person in a family who brings success to everyone. My father only had a motorcycle, but today, I drive a car,’ to illustrate the possibilities.”
Fashion Sakala has made a similar leap in life. He first encountered television at age 11, and his connection to the football world was limited to a radio that occasionally broadcast Zambian matches. His father, Timothy, fashioned a ball from plastic waste, a “chimphombwa,” which ignited Sakala’s passion for the game. At 18, he was still in his rural hometown, his talent hidden from wider recognition.
His father, Timothy, who himself was nicknamed “Fashion” for his elegant local football style and passed the name to his son, heard on the radio that Kum’mawa Stars were scouting for players. They embarked on an arduous eight-hour bicycle journey to the tryouts. Arriving with a different accent and without proper football boots, his initial introduction was challenging. Phillip Nyati provided him with a pair of boots, becoming a lifelong friend. Sakala later posted an Instagram tribute to Nyati in June, captioning it “Dreams don’t die,” acknowledging him as a key figure at the beginning of his “beautiful journey.”
And indeed, it has been a beautiful journey. He has traded a bicycle for a 4×4 and hunting for dinner for hunting Champions League goals. Similar to Alfredo Morelos’ background in Colombia, Sakala grew up quickly, and his natural talent allowed him to escape poverty and uplift his community.
Fashion Sakala’s opportunity to enter organized football didn’t slip away. In 2014, at 18, his talent began to attract attention. A provincial tournament in Livingstone, named after the Scottish missionary David Livingstone, saw him score nine goals in six games.
“A teacher, a supporter of our club, spotted him at this tournament, about 100 kilometers away from us, and inquired if we could sign him,” recounts Blackwell Siwale, then president of Nchanga Rangers, a second-tier club based in Chingola. “During trials, he confirmed the teacher’s assessment, so we signed him. He needed transport money, so we sent his father money for a bus ticket to Chingola. When he joined us, he was still in school in Chipata. Since players under 20 couldn’t be paid, we provided his father with an allowance and covered his school fees at Chingola secondary school so he could complete grade 12.”
Patson Daka, who later joined Leicester City from RB Leipzig, also impressed at the tournament, and they formed a formidable partnership. “They joined around the same time and competed for the same position. Patson showed greater commitment initially. We had to have a serious talk with Fashion, outlining his potential future if he dedicated himself fully. His late coach, Fighton Simukonda, recognized his talent and was committed to nurturing it. He was a coach with a paternal approach, loving the players like his own children. Our club philosophy at the time was to develop young talent, not to buy established players. Fashion went straight into the senior team.”
Nchanga Rangers faced difficulties after Simukonda’s untimely death at 53 and sponsorship issues. However, Sakala’s talent, like Daka’s, was undeniable. A move to the capital, Lusaka, and reigning champions Zanaco FC, was imminent.
His performances against Zanaco had initially caught their attention. “That’s why I started tracking him – his pace and eagerness to shoot,” says Numba Mumamba, Zanaco’s assistant manager in 2016, currently manager of Zesco United. A dispute arose regarding a transfer fee, as Sakala was over 20 but his contract had expired. Ultimately, he was allowed to move.
“People doubted whether this young boy could perform at a big club due to his age,” Mumamba explains. “We had experienced strikers, but I needed pace on the wing. I deployed him as a right winger. We reached the Champions League group stage, competing against major teams like Al Ahly and Raja Casablanca. We earned 11 points, narrowly missing the quarter-finals due to goal difference.” His domestic performances were impressive, but his explosive impact with the national team truly elevated his profile.
Mumamba joined the national team coaching staff alongside Nyirenda, who was recalled from a coaching role in Mozambique during a Zambian football restructuring. “I advised the FA that a national team reboot was necessary. Looking at the 2012 AFCON winning team, many players had declined and were fading away,” Nyirenda recalls. “It’s common with African players; after a major win, complacency can set in. I focused on junior teams, scouting for young talent. FA President Mr. Andrew Kamanga sought my help as coach.”
The under-20 team displayed captivating football, winning the Under-20 AFCON. They won all group matches, then defeated South Africa and Senegal to secure the trophy on home soil.
Sakala was among five players named in the tournament’s best XI, alongside Daka and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Enock Mwepu. Their previous best at this level was fourth place in 1991, 1999, and 2007. This generation offered hope of emulating and possibly surpassing the 2012 AFCON champions, and even the team that included Godfrey Chitalu, one of history’s most prolific international goalscorers, tragically lost in a 1993 plane crash while managing the national team.
At the Under-20 World Cup two months later, they made history by reaching the quarter-finals, defeating Portugal in the group stage and Germany 4-3 in the round of 16. Despite dominating against Italy in the quarter-finals, they lost 3-2 in extra time.
The transition to this new generation was accelerated by a shocking defeat to Mozambique in their first AFCON qualifier, leading to a bottom-place group finish. “Immediately, I knew it was time for a paradigm shift for the Zambian national team. I told Fashion this was his opportunity, but he had to follow our instructions precisely. He’s very coachable. I told him his potential was limitless, far beyond lower leagues.”
The 24-year-old’s dedication to improvement intensified. He would practice 40 shots from the edge of the box after each training session, accompanied by prayer. His prayers were soon answered when Spartak Moscow scouted him. However, this move proved unfruitful. Sakala suffered frequent nosebleeds adapting to the unfamiliar climate, and his playing experience was equally cold, failing to make a first-team appearance.
He wasn’t alone in this frustrating experience. Sylvanus Nimely and Idrisa Sambu, other African players who joined that summer, also had difficult times. “They promised youth team time followed by first-team promotion,” says Nimely, from Liberia. “That was the expectation, but it didn’t happen. We wanted to leave. You needed immense mental strength to stay. We were close friends, but we played the same positions, so if one played, the other didn’t.”
Sakala left in 2018 after just over a year, but it took Nimely four years to escape his contract and move to Croatia. Despite the career frustrations, Nimely fondly remembers Sakala’s snoring and his (poor) attempts to play FIFA, having only used a PlayStation 2 at home. Even with disagreements about their careers at times, their bond remained. “Sakala still had a profile from the World Cup, so his decision was good. He pushed for a move, likely fighting for it. He was frustrated with me for staying. He’d say, ‘You’re crazy, look at the football we can play and how we suffer. Let’s go somewhere.’ But where could I go? Few clubs knew me. Some were interested, but Spartak asked for exorbitant fees to deter them.”
Hugo Broos, then Cameroon manager (2016-2017) and now South Africa’s coach, attended the Under-20 World Cup. He noted Sakala’s talent, but their paths didn’t cross again until Broos became Oostende’s sporting director a year later.
“I hadn’t heard from or seen him until we needed a striker,” Broos says. “I received a call about a Zambian player at Moscow potentially available. I asked his name, and they said Fashion Sakala. It’s an unforgettable name, so I exclaimed, ‘Ah, Fashion!’ assuming he’d be unaffordable. Usually, I review my notes, but with Fashion, I didn’t need to. I’d seen some of his games on TV and remained impressed, but I also sensed a lack of confidence. I wanted to help him rediscover his best form.”
Broos acknowledges Sakala needed time to adjust at Oostende. In a match against Anderlecht, he came on in the 78th minute, with the team trailing 2-1. Within two minutes, he conceded a penalty and displayed wasteful play, prompting former assistant manager Franky Van der Elst to give him instructions on the field. Sakala responded positively, and his first goal, in the 87th minute against Zulte Waregem, significantly boosted his confidence.
“He had initial difficulties, but after the first year, he gradually started scoring more. Many foreign players are surprised by the intensity and defensive quality in the Belgian league,” Broos notes. “He was very shy, showing me great respect, which is good, but excessive respect isn’t necessary. He seemed somewhat intimidated. He’s a quiet person; I’m sure Rangers players will also find him reserved initially. He’s not a talker or a leader, but with the coach’s confidence, he transforms into a different player.”
Oostende president Frank Dierckens regularly invited Sakala to his home in his early months to help him settle. His faith again played a crucial role last season when he suffered a serious knee injury, potentially requiring surgery. Sakala declined surgery, claiming a premonition that it would be detrimental. He made a remarkable recovery, reminiscent of former Rangers defender Marvin Andrews in 2004-05, and finished the season in high demand. He improved from six goals in 38 games in his first season to nine in 30 in his second, and then exploded in his final season under Alexander Blessin, scoring 16 in 33 as Oostende qualified for European competition.
While finishing is an area for improvement, perhaps by not forcing shots, his ability to stretch defenses and his dynamism attracted clubs from Europe’s top five leagues. He chose Rangers because he believed in the project under Steven Gerrard.
Smarterscout statistics highlight his elite ball-carrying and progressive play.
While expected to play centrally, he can operate wide, demonstrated by his counter-attacking threat against Real Madrid. Domestic games for Rangers present a different challenge, with teams often defending deep and limiting space.
“In Belgium, it’s similar when playing at home,” Broos explains. “Teams began playing very defensively against him, but space can be created, making him very dangerous. When opponents lose possession and he can be put through, he’s unstoppable. He’s not a player for intricate combinations or possession play. He thrives on space. He needs direct play and the confidence to dribble. We accepted mistakes when they happened.”
Fashion Sakala needs freedom to express his natural talent. Rangers will aim to unleash him against Malmo, and when he steps onto the pitch in front of 50,000 fans to the Champions League anthem, it will be the culmination of a long journey to stardom, a journey that appears far from over.
