GUEST ARTICLE: Patson Daka’s Africa Cup of Nations disappointment could be Leicester’s gain
By his own admission, Leicester City forward Patson Daka’s debut at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has left behind mixed emotions.
Zambia’s group-stage exit, following draws with DR Congo and Tanzania and a final-game defeat to Morocco — meaning hosts Ivory Coast qualified at their expense — probably will not have come as a huge surprise to those who closely follow the progress of No 84 in FIFA’s world rankings. After all, this is a young and inexperienced squad developing under head coach Avram Grant, many of whom were involved in a senior tournament for the first time.
Daka, 25, did become the first player to appear in every age-group version of AFCON — under-17s, under-20s, under-23s and seniors — and he scored one and assisted the other of Zambia’s two goals from three games.
Daka and Zambia are out of AFCON after the group phase (Sia Kambou/AFP via Getty Images)
Daka’s quick thinking on a throw-in to Kings Kangwa led to the opening goal of their first match against DR Congo and his late near-post header salvaged a point against Tanzania four days later in match two.
Zambian football journalist Calvin Kaumba Chikenge says Daka can return to the King Power Stadium with his pride intact.
“The expectations in Zambia were not very high because the majority of the players were debutants, including Patson,” he says. “People are happy with how they fought.
“Patson showed leadership and a never-say-never attitude in the Tanzania game, which kept the hopes of many of us alive as the tournament progressed. Not having game time at Leicester might have had an impact on his game but it didn’t — Patson always delivered. The team being dominated by debutants is the reason Zambia were eliminated; otherwise, he did great and showed why he is Zambia’s best striker.”
Despite his lack of game time at club level early in the season, Grant has never lost faith in Daka. Before the tournament started two weeks ago, he praised the way Daka retained his professionalism while not playing for Leicester, especially as he still made an impact for Zambia, scoring five goals in three games in October and November.
“Patson Daka’s job is to score goals, which he’s done so well for this team. I am happy he has now started to score for his club,” former Chelsea and West Ham United manager Grant said last month. “He is a good example to the young players and those who are here but don’t know how to handle the bench.
Grant never lost faith in Daka despite his lack of game time for Leicester (Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Patson is an example because he hasn’t been playing, and a month ago he wasn’t even in the team. I have all the records on how he trains and, when they gave him a chance, he did what he was supposed to do. I’m sure he will continue to score.”
Having played just one minute in the Championship until early December, Daka finally got his chance under new manager Enzo Maresca and his patience was repaid, starting six consecutive games last month — the longest such sequence for any Leicester striker this season — and contributing four goals and two assists. Leicester dropped just two points in those matches with Daka leading the attack.
In his AFCON absence, 21-year-old summer signing Tom Cannon has stepped up and Jamie Vardy has returned from two months out with a knee injury, so Daka certainly can’t expect to walk back into the team.
But, after that delayed start to his season, and having seen a potential move to Premier League Bournemouth fall through in late August, Daka could now have a big role to play over the final months of Leicester’s promotion challenge.
Maresca has been in contact with Grant to discuss Daka’s progress and believes he will make an impact again when he rejoins his squad next week.
“I watched some moments of his games and he did very well,” Maresca says. “I spoke with Patson yesterday (Thursday) and told him to continue in the way he was doing here (before the tournament). I am sorry for him (that Zambia are out) but pleased for us because we can get him back earlier. Hopefully, he can continue (his form) with us.
“I have spoken to Avram a few times in the last two to three weeks but I said the same, his situation here was quite clear. We have Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho, so he struggled (to get a game). But when we give him the chance, he took it and hopefully he can continue to help us in the next two to three months.”
Iheanacho is still involved at the Africa Cup of Nations, albeit he is yet to feature for Nigeria, who face Cameroon in the round of 16 tonight (Saturday).
The 27-year-old picked up a thigh injury with Leicester late last month that threatened his participation in the tournament, although there have also been unconfirmed reports in Nigeria that he has upset manager Jose Peseiro.
By Rob Tanner | The Athletic