Fashion Sakala: Soon-to-be Al Fayha Centurion but already RSL luminary
Home is where the heart is and, for Fashion Sakala, that is at Al Fayha.
Set to rack up his 100th Roshn Saudi League appearance for the Al Majma'ah-based club and become only the fifth player to do so, the effervescent Zambian international is not only a fan favourite, but a club icon, too.
“Al Fayha has become my home and part of my family,” Sakala said this summer having extended his deal with the club until 2029. “To be honest, I had a lot of offers from different clubs, but there was no club where I saw myself fitting in.
“People would say I should have chosen more money, and even the president knew there were clubs offering me more.
"But the love I have felt at Al Fayha is something I have never experienced, especially from the board and management. That is something money can’t buy.
“I told my manager that whatever final offer Al Fayha gave me, I would accept it. It was a very easy decision because I am happy here.”
As glowingly as he speaks of Al Fayha, so too would the club of their fearsome forward.
Arriving from Scottish giants Rangers ahead of the 2023-24 season, Sakala was an instant hit in the RSL, banging in 19 goals to finish third in the golden boot standings, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
That’s fair company to keep.
Now in his fourth campaign at the club, he is already Al Fayha’s all-time leading scorer in the Saudi top flight, with 41 goals in 99 RSL appearances.
And, while Sakala has found the going tougher this season, with a solitary goal in his first eight games, he has the reputation and resume to be confident that’ll turn around.
But it’s not just his goals nor his play that has endeared him to RSL fans across the Kingdom; it’s his personality and the way he has embraced life in Saudi Arabia that has won over practically everyone.
Who could forget Sakala’s wholehearted embrace of Saudi Arabia’s National Day when, speaking after a game dressed in a traditional attire, he declared: “Today no Captain Sakala… Sheikh Sakala!”
With a beaming smile, it’s that infectious character that makes Sakala so easy to root for. So is his ability to deliver on the pitch and, with more than 40 RSL goals thus far, he usually delivers where it counts.
Now, Al Fayha need their talisman more than ever to help reverse their slow start to the 2026-27 RSL. With one victory in the opening nine matches, including a 2-0 defeat to a previously winless Al Khaleej last week, Fabio Carille needs his star man to help spark a revival.
Capable of playing either as a striker or on the wing, Sakala has been most threatening when his pace can be effectively deployed on the counter, something of which Brazilian tactician Carille is fully aware.
“Sakala can play up front and on the wing, and we didn’t want him to drop back too much into defence,” he said after a 0-0 draw with Al Taawoun earlier in the season.
It’s rare that you hear a manager publicly declare that he doesn’t want one of his players doing too much defensive work. But it’s an acknowledgment of Sakala’s role in the team and how his strengths are best utilised.
Having been provided a real show of faith with a fresh contract this summer, the 29-year-old recognises the responsibility that sits upon his shoulders.
While the goal now is to simply break free of the relegation scrap - Al Fayha sit a point above the drop zone heading into Monday’s home clash with title contenders Al Ahli - Sakala is setting sights even higher.
“The club has shown belief in me, and with that comes responsibility,” he said. “I hope I can help the team win at least one trophy. That is my biggest dream, because of the love they have shown me.”
