SAMUEL SIKAONGA: A BABY BORN WITH TEETH

Samuel Sikaonga learnt how to fight running battles at a very young age. At a time when most of his peers were being whipped into making presumed life-saving career choices by their parents, Sikaonga was at loggerheads with his father.

“My father wanted me to become a driver after I finished secondary school. This was because my grade 12 results were not good largely because I focused so much on playing football.

Dad was in the transport business so he felt I could also follow his path. But I decided to go against his wishes because my desire was to become a professional footballer,” Sikaonga narrates.

Sikaonga’s actions spelt bad blood between him and his father. This was the beginning of a long standing feud between father and son that would eventually lead to the latter leaving his parents’ home.

“It was bad for me because Dad wanted me to do what he thought was good for my life. We stopped talking for some time which later led me to leave my parents’ home and start a life with my friends.”

Despite a change of heart by Sikaonga senior, his determination to have his son focus on a career that he felt could lead to a better life remained unresolved.

“I later re-joined my parents after being away from my family for some time. Unfortunately, that didn’t change my father’s opinion on what he thought I should do with my life.”

When the battle between father and son was raging, Sikaonga had found his way into the ZESCO United U-19 side.

Sikaonga’s journey in the ZESCO United youth system would be tough. The young defensive midfielder found experienced players who gave him a tough time.

A change in management saw current ZESCO United physical trainer, Clive Hachilensa take the reins at youth level.

“I struggled to get into the main team when I joined the youth system. The team had some good players and the coaches didn’t give me a chance to prove myself. It was not until coach Clive came that I was given an opportunity.”

Young Sikaonga grasped the opportunity with both hands. His exploits at youth level saw him leave on loan to join Zambezi Portland where he helped the latter win promotion from division three to division two.

“I joined Zambezi Portland in 2017. It was an important move for me because I got very good exposure and game time. My time there was special because we won promotion from division three to division two

It was time well spent for me because I learnt a lot of things and developed a lot confidence along the way.”

In 2019, the young midfielder’s dream finally came true. Sikaonga was among a horde of young players that graduated to the ZESCO United senior team.

However, this development didn’t guarantee Sikaonga and company first team football considering the abundant level of talent and experience in the squad.

This was a ZESCO United squad that had delivered eight league titles and became perennial participant in the CAF competitions.

Age and experience was more pronounced at the club making it difficult for young players to break into the main team.

This was a time when young and experienced players like U-20 Africa Cup wining players such as Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe, and Edward Tembo were struggling for game time. Sikaonga’s future at the club looked bleak.

ZESCO United Appoint Numba Mumamba

ZESCO United’s decision to mutually separate with coach George Lwandamina led to the appointment of former Zanaco head coach Numba Mumamba.

In his first remarks after being appointed ZESCO United coach, Mumamba declared his desire to work with young players.

“It is part of my ethos to work with young players. I can see that the club has some young talented players. They will be given a chance to play so that they can prove that they are worth being part of this great club.”

SIKAONGA MAKES DEBUT

Mumamba’s declaration to give young players a chance and ZESCO United management’s decision change their recruitment strategy with a bias towards internally developed players, gave 20-year-old Sikaonga some hope.

In pre-season, the Ndola born midfielder had to dig deeper to win the heart and mind of the new coach.

38 days after being appointed ZESCO United head coach, Mumamba named untested Sikaonga in ZESCO United’s starting eleven in the opening league fixture against a formidable Napsa Stars side which had beaten the former 2-1 last campaign.

Sikaonga was named ahead of some the club’s finest and experienced midfielders: “It was a great feeling to be named in the club’s starting eleven because I wasn’t expecting this. I am very happy because I have been given a chance.

This is a team with many experienced players and when you look at my position, there are players who have worked very hard for this team and have more experience. This opportunity has encouraged me to work very hard to prove to him that he has made the right decision.”

Sikaonga remembers feeling nervous after being named in the squad to face Napsa: “I was a bit nervous because this was the first time I was being included in the travelling squad. This is a big club and for a young boy like me to make the final squad was surprising even to me.

I was scared but I also believed in myself. But I knew that there was a reason why the coach gave me a chance. There was something special he saw in me and I had to prove to him so that he can have courage to pick me again.”

Breaking into the ZESCO United main team has not only been a personal success story for Sikaonga.

The young midfielder feels his success at the club will unlock massive opportunities for young players with dreams of playing for ZESCO United.

“There are a lot of young players at the club that want to be like me. I have to give them courage that they can play for this club by performing well.”

Sikaonga has played in all the three opening fixtures for ZESCO United. He played an instrumental role in the sides 1-all away draw against Napsa and was equally up to the task in the Ndola derby in which ZESCO United lost 0-1. He also put up a stellar performance when ZESCO United beat Lumwana Radiants 0-1.

Sikaonga attributes his performances to the support he has received from ZESCO United senior players.

“I receive a lot encouragement from senior players like Adrian Chama. The day of the Napsa game Adrian called and advised me to work hard and prove to the coach that I can play. He advised me not to be sacred but to make things simple and he assured me that he was going to help me.

Enock Sabumukama also called me and said: (Mwaice) young man go and do your best. This will be your first game but if you are not careful it may be your last. Please I want you to go and do your best. Odhiambo also gave me the same advice.”

Sikaonga’s breakthrough at ZESCO United has re-united father and son. Sikaonga senior has become his child’s number one fan after years of trying to come to terms with Sam’s decision to go against his wishes.

“My Dad as am talking now is the happiest person. He calls to find out about the results whenever we have played a game. He has been encouraging me to stay focused and not look down whenever we lose as it is the beginning and not the end.

When he calls the first question is whether I played. When I say I played 90 minutes he becomes extremely excited.”

An ardent follower of Brazilian and Real Madrid defensive Midfielder, Miguel Casimiro, Sikaonga has only one advice for young players with dreams of becoming professional footballers.

“The lesson I have learnt from everything I have experienced so far is that, when you want to do something, you should not give up because there is something else your friends or mum, sisters want you to pursue. You have to focus and work towards your dreams. Results will come.”

Author: Desmond Katongo