Fashion Sakala’s beaming smile left a big impact on Rangers – and now it’s leaving a big impact on the forward’s native Zambia too.
Zambian international Fashion Sakala spent two years at Rangers between 2021 and 2023, winning a place in the hearts of fans with his explosive forward play and infectious personality.
Now a key player for Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha – where Sakala finished the third top scorer in the country last season (19) – the winger is making a big impression in the Middle East.
But Fashion Sakala has never forgotten his roots and the selfless Zambia star has picked up a special humanitarian award in his home country – before dedicating it to all the other nominees!
Fashion Sakala earns humanitarian award
Fashion Sakala’s humanitarian work in Zambia has seen him handed the Humanitarian Award of the Year at the Kamala Awards in Zambia’s Eastern Province.
In a special message on social media platform X, Sakala has expressed his pride at picking up the award as he continues to make a difference in his home country.
And the devout Christian has also paid tribute to all the nominees who are making a difference in the African nation and offered blessings to all of his followers.
“God bless. At the end, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.
“I am honoured to receive the Humanitarian Award of the Year at the Kawala Awards in Eastern Province. This recognition is a testament to the power of compassion and collective action.
”To my fellow nominees, your dedication to uplifting communities is truly inspiring. This award belongs to all of us working hard to create positive change.
”To the Kawala Awards organization, thank you for recognising and celebrating the power of service and compassion.
“To my family, friends, and everyone who has been part of my journey, thank you for your support. Above all, I give thanks to God for the opportunity to serve and reflect His light in the lives of others.
”FS10 DREAMS DON’T DIE. Read: 2 Corinthians 9:7. More blessings to you all.”
Fashion Sakala ‘disrespected’ in Rangers exit
Whilst Fashion Sakala remains a positive figure in the hearts and minds of Rangers fans, the Zambian international left Ibrox with a salty taste in his mouth.
Having joined the Gers on a pre-contract following an explosive season at Belgian Pro League side KV Oostende in 2021, Sakala was a spirited performer but blew some big opportunities at Ibrox.
When Al-Fayha came calling during the Saudi transfer revolution of 2023, Rangers manager Michael Beale appeared to reluctantly accept a £4m package which saw the attacker leave.
Back in August 2023, the Englishman claimed that he had a ‘really close relationship’ with Sakala which was ‘maybe stronger than With anyone else in the squad’.
But Fashion Sakala would later reveal that he was frozen out by the former Ibrox gaffer, who stopped involving him in training and ruthlessly axed him from the team.
“I went back to pre-season in Germany and it was a big surprise because my pictures were not taken,” Sakala told the Rangers Review.
“I was scoring beautiful goals and my goals were not published. I could see my friends celebrating goals.
”When we had a team meeting, my answers were not allowed to be published.
“People started asking if I was there in pre-season. I was there from the beginning to the end. It was a hard one to take for me.
“Even if there was a club that wanted to buy me, I could have at least been respected a little bit and left the club in a good way.
“To be told not to train with the team for no reason… I have never had a discipline issue with the club. It was hard for me.
“Rangers was a club that I felt was like my home and receiving that treatment was so hard for me.
“When I was coming back for the new season, I thought the coach would trust me and want me there for the new season.
”He didn’t talk to me about anything or any transfers. He clearly showed me that I wasn’t part of his plans without telling me anything.
“The time I received a call from Mick Beale was when he told me not to come to the training ground anymore. That was hard for me because I didn’t do anything.
“Players leave clubs but they are not told not to go to the training ground, not told not to be part of the team.
“You can have clubs that can come in for you but still, you are training with the team. I stayed without training with the club for almost two weeks.
“I think I deserved much better, I deserved to be respected at least.
“I can leave the club, but don’t tell me not to train with the team, don’t tell me not to go to the Rangers Training Centre anymore, as if I did something wrong.
“I understand you want to sell me to get money to buy new players, that is fine.
“But let me just be part of the team, let me say goodbye nicely to my teammates.
“When I received a call that I shouldn’t go to the training ground anymore, I didn’t see any of my teammates anymore.
“It was hard to say goodbye in such a bad way to people who looked after me so well – Tavernier, Goldson – I had to talk to them on phones when it was time to leave.
“It was hard for them to believe that I wasn’t allowed to go to the training ground anymore.”
