Contrary to those wild internet rumours, Fashion Sakala has always been very much alive and kicking. Vile social media pranksters may have tried to pass the Rangers ace off for dead but the truth of the matter is that under new boss Michael Beale, the Zambian frontman is enjoying an Ibrox rebirth.
It was back in November that grim rumours spread across Twitter amid fictional claims that during a return to his African homeland, the Light Blues forward had been gunned down in a robbery-gone-wrong. As it turned out, the only thing that required shooting down was the despicable tittle-tattle as Sakala - who had been sitting in his Glasgow flat at the time - took to Instagram to prove he was still here with us in the land of the living.
Remarkably, it’s not the first time the former Oostende hitman has been forced to straighten out unfounded speculation about his existence on this mortal coil. But the fact he remains a living, breathing member of Beale’s squad will come as great relief to his new boss given the way Sakala has responded to the Londoner’s appointment, blasting five goals and providing five assists in 13 appearances so far.
Just who started the odious fib remains a mystery but the ever-chirpy Ibrox favourite was, as always, all smiles as he recalled the bizarre episode. “It was all so strange,” grinned Sakala. “I received a call from Gavin, the security person at the club, and his breathing was very different! I was like, ‘What’s going on?’
“He asked, ‘Are you Fashion?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah!’ He said, ‘I just saw something on Twitter saying you were dead!’
“I was like, ‘No, I’m still alive! I’m cooking!’ Immediately, my manager then called me asking if I was OK: ‘I saw something saying you were dead!’
“I was very surprised! It was funny, but people always have the time to write things. I was in Glasgow so I don’t know how they managed to say I was shot in Zambia!
“This is not the first time. I’ve had a lot of stories in my own country saying, ‘He’s had an accident, he’s dead. He and his wife are dead’. I don’t know if people are wishing us dead! I don’t know if it was people from Glasgow who wrote it or people from Zambia because I’ve had it in my own country before!
“When I got to training everyone was very surprised. They said: ‘We saw something that you were dead!’ But when Gavin confirmed that I was OK and doing fine I think they were all relaxed!
“I won’t worry about going home. I was in Zambia last week. I went back when we played against Partick Thistle. I went the day before to see my newborn daughter and I came back alive again!”
Sakala is, though, enjoying a new lease of life under Beale. The African ace admits he found it difficult to maintain his trademark warm, beaming expression during the early stages of the season as he was frozen out by former gaffer Gio van Bronckhorst.
But he’s sporting a smile as wide as the Clyde now having been welcomed back into the fold by the Dutchman’s replacement. “Yes, everything has changed,” said Sakala. “I don’t complain about the former manager but it was a frustrating season.
“I didn’t play in the first 10 games and it was very frustrating. But I kept my patience and the good relationship I have with the players and technical staff all helped me.
“It was very difficult but here, there is such a very good group and they supported me. My first game back after those 10 games without playing I played five minutes, then 10, then 15, 30 and then 90. That’s how it changed.
“It was frustrating but the new coach called me into his office and we had a great meeting. He told me how he wants me to play. That showed me the confidence he has in me. But I am not there yet. I am still working hard to get to the best level of my career but I think I am slowly getting there.”
Sometimes erratic, sometimes deadly - that’s the story of Sakala’s Rangers career. And it perfectly sums up his most recent clash against Celtic last month when he followed a haphazard first-half performance with an exhilarating display following the break, setting up Ryan Kent to score before winning a penalty that put Gers ahead.
Only Kyogo Furuhashi’s late equaliser denied Beale a debut derby win but Sakala can’t wait for another crack at the Hoops at Hampden as they go for glory in Sunday’s Viaplay Cup final.
He said: “Yes I think I added a little bit of value in that game but I was obviously disappointed we drew in the last few minutes. I was looking for a win to close the gap, but it is unfortunate that we drew. These are the sort of games I like.
“You see when we play against Celtic it is a 50-50 situation – they also want to win. So you have the space.
"It is different when you play against Ross County. They are just back in the box, the whole squad is defending. You don’t know who the striker is - they are playing like centre backs!”
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