Pats-on the back for a hard-working African star

Born 22 years ago in the town of Kafue, around 50 kilometers from Zambia’s capital of Lusaka, Patson Daka’s entire life has been tied with football. His father Nathtali instilled love for the game and his beloved Liverpool FC in his son at a young age. When Patson started to play for his local club’s youth side, it was clear that the boy was special. Kafue Celtics FC’s Director Lee Kawanu told First Time Finish that Patson’s ability quickly shone through – just as his Dad has envisaged.

He was soon promoted to the Celtics’ senior side, where he played well despite being younger and physically weaker than most players. His talent was easy to see. As a result, Daka was invited to represent Zambia in the Rising Stars tournament. He was spotted there by former African Player of the Year Frederic Kanoute’s scouting agency. The former Sevilla and West Ham United striker was impressed by the young Zambian, whose life started to change rapidly.

Red Bull Salzburg invited Daka for a trial after he’d just starred for Zambia in the 2016 COSAFA U-20 Cup in South Africa. The Austrian club has an excellent track record in bringing up young talent, and they wanted to keep Daka for six months and see if he’s the real deal. The kid from Zambia travelled to Austria in the middle of the winter and had to deal with cold weather, a completely new environment, different language, culture, football style, and everything. But he was determined and focused. He was going to earn a contract with the European team. And he did just that.

Patson in action for Zambia U-23s (©Reuters)

Today, Patson Daka is a proven goalscorer who draws comparisons with Erling Braut Haaland. But he isn’t getting ahead of himself. He is well aware that football can be tricky and that nothing can be taken for granted. He continues to work and develop. After a year-long loan with Austrian second-tier club Liefering, he was eased into Salzburg’s first team. After two more years of slow induction in the team, he really came on the scene during the 2019/20 season, when he scored an impressive 24 goals in the league. His immense contribution helped the team reach the Europa League group stage as he hit two goals to dispatch Maccabi Tel Aviv in the play-off round.

Sadly, his father has passed away too early to witness his boy’s European success, but Patson is happy that he had followed in his Dad’s footsteps and is thankful for all the love and knowledge. His upbringing and experience of playing against stronger players in his homeland have made him grow up quickly and become more resilient and composed under pressure.

“I’ve always known pressure will be there, but I don’t have to let it define me. It wasn’t easy to come from Africa and be exposed to a different kind of development in Salzburg. I never imagined myself making the kind of big step I have here.”

Patson Daka continues to live and breathe football and is an inspiration to football-mad kids around Africa.