AFCON of stars: Patson Daka, between current doubts and dreams of greatness

In 2012, Zambia caused a sensation by winning the Africa Cup of Nations, beating opponents as strong as they were prestigious. But since then, the Chipolopolo have fallen back into line. In fact, the Zambians have not made it past the first round (2013, 2015, 2023), even missing a few editions (2017, 2019, 2021). To get back on track, Zambia is counting on its star player: Patson Daka.

After returning to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast two years ago, following three consecutive missed editions, Zambia failed to make it past the first round. However, Patson Daka rose to the occasion, scoring one goal and providing one assist in three games. It was also his first Africa Cup of Nations appearance. In his wildest dreams, he would undoubtedly like to repeat his performance at the 2017 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was the tournament's top scorer and led Zambia to continental glory on home soil.

Now 27, Patson Daka is the star player of the Chipolopolo. And he will need to be on form from the first round if he is to carry his team. Zambia is in Group A with Morocco, the host country, Mali, and the Comoros. The man with 20 goals in 47 caps therefore has his work cut out for him.

Especially since he is not approaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with full confidence. He has scored only once and made two assists since the start of the season with Leicester. Suffice to say that these are far from the standards that made him famous in Salzburg. At the Austrian club, he finished as the league's top scorer in 2021 (27 goals).

Patson Daka is therefore heading into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with some uncertainties, but with his head full of dreams. After all, beyond the collective destiny, the Africa Cup of Nations has a knack for forging individual stories that remain engraved in stone for eternity. Daka will undoubtedly want to see his own story written in Morocco.

In 2012, Zambia caused a sensation by winning the Africa Cup of Nations, beating opponents as strong as they were prestigious. But since then, the Chipolopolo have fallen back into line. In fact, the Zambians have not made it past the first round (2013, 2015, 2023), even missing a few editions (2017, 2019, 2021). To get back on track, Zambia is counting on its star player: Patson Daka.

This article was originally published on Sports News Africa