Rangers Football Club manager Michael Beale has expressed delight with Fashion Sakala’s ability to adapt to a new wide role.
Playing wide left, Sakala, scored a 52nd-minute goal and provided two assists as Rangers thrashed Hibernian 4-1 at the Easter Road Stadium in a Scottish Premiership League.
“He was a striker when we signed him and he’s been shifted out wide at different times. The system suits him at the moment,” Rangers manager Beale told BBC Sportsound.
Sakala has been directly involved in four goals in his last two starts in his new role.
Beale said the Zambian international has been working hard to either score or create a scoring opportunity for his teammates.
“Certainly away from home when teams come after us and it opens up space. Every game he gets the chance to score or an assist,” he said.
Sakala has so far scored 6 goals and provided 7 assists in 19 Scottish Premiership matches.
The manager was also impressed by his pace and direct play as the Light Blue cruised to a convincing win to pile pressure on pacesetters Celtic.
“He doesn’t always get them but he is working away and nights like tonight at times he was unplayable with his speed and direct play.”
The Rangers trio of Sakala, Ryan Kent, and Borna Barisic have provided a total of 21 assists. Each having 7 assists for the Gers in the 2022/23 Premiership season.
Sakala carry hopes of Chipolopolo fans
With his good form, Sakala is carrying Zambian fans’ hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant is soon expected to name his maiden squad for the Lesotho back-to-back matches on the 23rd and 26th of March 2023.
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Zambia and Comoros both have 3 points, while Ivory Coast has 4 points and tops Group H. Lesotho is at the bottom of the group with one point.
The 2012 African champions are looking to qualify for the Africa Cup after missing the last three editions.
