November 4, 2021

Daka talks teamwork, maximum points, and support from home ahead of the UEFA Europa League

Zambia national team forward Patson Daka says he and his Leicester City teammates are looking forward to tomorrow’s UEFA Europa League against Russian Premier League side, Spartak Moscow.

The Zambian international scored all the four goals in the 4-3 win over Spartak in Moscow last month and knows that the spotlight will be on him but he believes anyone in the Foxes team can harm Spartak.

Brendan Rogers’ men have a chance to go top of the group and playing at the King Power Stadium, Daka feels it’s a must-win game especially that the fans will be behind them with a lot of expectations.

“I’m really excited and looking forward, everyone in the team is excited about working tomorrow. We’re just looking forward to doing our very best and taking our chances,” Daka said during the pre-match press conference.

“Every game is important, and we cannot afford to lose any game, especially when we’re playing at home in front of our fans. They’ve got huge expectations for us, and it’s a very big moment for us as a club.”

“We just want to take maximum points and we’ll see what will happen next. Otherwise, we’ll just focus on this game and make sure that we give our best.”

“I’m sure their focus and attention are on me, but I think it’s also a great opportunity for other players in the team because if they concentrate on me, they’ll leave other players free. Anyone in our team can harm them, so they don’t know what’s going to hit them,” he added.

Daka went on to reveal that he has enjoyed working with City’s all-time Premier League goalscorer Jamie Vardy, who even before Daka’s first day as a Fox contacted the former Power Dynamos striker to help him settle in.

“It’s been amazing working with him, being close to him, learning from him. He’s a very great guy. I was talking to him even before I had my first day here. He welcomed me,” Daka said.

“It was just a special moment for me. Now I’m here to work alongside him, to learn from him, he’s a legend of the Club, and I believe there’s still a lot more I can learn from him when he’s still here.”

Zambian fans have showered the new Leicester City star with a lot of love and Support and the striker feels it’s a motivation for him to do even more.

“The President, his excellency Hakainde Hichilema, has been so, so supportive. Not only to me but to every Zambian out there who is doing well, who is pushing for their dreams,” he said.

“The country is very proud of us for what we are doing. It’s no pressure it’s a big motivation for me because I know I carry the hope of 18 million Zambians with me.”

“For me, I take every chance, every opportunity that comes, because I believe what I do today is what determines my future. I don’t stress myself looking forward to what’s ahead of me, but what’s currently happening.”

“As I’m here, I’m doing it for them, it’s a pathway for them. It’s a motivation for me, not pressure, and I enjoy it, I love the support I receive from back home,” he added.

Daka could become Leicester City’s all-time leading goalscorer in Europe finds the back of the net on Thursday, but he is more focused on the success of the team, rather than individual targets.

“For me, it’s not been the main focus, because I believe that it’s not about how long you’ve been at a club or how long you’ve been doing something,” he said.

“What you do in that space of time that you are at the Club, or the same amount that you have at that particular time, it’s how you’re going to use it that matters.”

“If I don’t score tomorrow, and other players score, if I help the team to win, that’s more important to me than personal glory,” he added.

Leicester will tomorrow welcome Spartak Moscow to Filbert Way in the hope of registering their second European victory of the 2021/22 campaign. The kick-off for the match is set at 22:00 CAT.