I AM STILL LEARNING: SAKALA

There are very few young players who exude the level of confidence that radiates from 19 year-old Enock Sakala, Jnr.

Sakala a product of the ZESCO United youth set-up, has seen his career in the game evolve from being a mere ball-ball to a rising star player for ZESCO United.

From watching John Ching’andu, Winstone Kalengo and Khodwani Mtonga, the Lubuto born striker is living his own dream.

“I have always wanted to play football and playing for ZESCO United was always my dream. It was an honour for me to be one of the ball-boys for the team. Watching Kalengo score goals for my boyhood favourite team motivated me to work extra hard,” Sakala recalls.

Sakala the son of former ZESCO United prolific striker Enock Sakala, has developed steadily within the club’s youth structures before breaking into the senior team.

However, the 19-year olds progression in the game has been shaped by sheer determination and a strong will to succeed.

“I had a lot of faith that one-day I will play for this club. I also knew that I needed to be disciplined and focused if I was to make it in the game. It was much easier to make progress here because there were a lot of young players who were also fighting to get into the senior team.”

In 2019, Sakala was among a horde of young players who had graduated from the ZESCO United youth team to the senior team.

This development, however didn’t guarantee first team football for the young striker who was competing for numbers against more seasoned strikers like Winstone Kalengo, John Makwata, Jesse Were, Quadri Kola.

“I was very excited to move from the youth team to the senior team. This was a sign that I was making progress at the club. However, I didn’t know when the opportunity to play was going to come especially that we have a lot experienced strikers at club.”

A change in management at ZESCO United saw former Zanaco coach Numba Mumamba take over the reins from coach George Lwandamina.

This change in coaches provided the perfect opportunity for young Sakala to show the new coach that he was worth the call.

“I knew that the new coach was always going to give everyone an equal opportunity to show what they can offer. I took advantage of pre-season training to show him that I had what it takes to play for ZESCO United.”

Sakala’s hard work during pre-season paid dividends. Coach Numba Mumamba decided to name the 19-year old in his 22-man squad to face Kabwe Warriors at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

A taste of first team football was all Sakala wanted to strengthen his confidence: “It was amazing to be named in the team that faced Kabwe Warriors even if I only came in at the end of the game. That short opportunity encouraged me to work extra hard.”

A 2-0 victory against Kabwe Warriors was the beginning of a memorable journey for the young striker who perfected his skills in Lubuto.

Sakala was named in ZESCO United’s starting eleven when the former league champions hosted Green Buffaloes. With the host losing the game, Sakala’s perfectly timed header rescued ZESCO United from a potential home defeat.

The young striker went on to score ZESCO United’s lone goal when the Ndola based league giants beat Kitwe United 0-1 at Garden Park stadium.

“It is an unbelievable feeling to score for your boyhood favourite team and also for a big team like ZESCO United. I am grateful to the coach for believing in me and also to the senior players who have been encouraging me to work hard,” he said.

Sakala’s exciting run in the game thus far has not made the young striker forget the ethos that have gotten him to where he is today.

“I am still the humble boy that I was before joining the senior team. I know too well that I am still developing as such discipline and focus remain key to my success. There are a lot of senior players that I am learning from here. People like Kalengo have been very helpful. I also listen a lot to the coach who gave me this rare opportunity to play for the team.”

Author: Desmond Katongo