Fashion Sakala Breaks Al Fayha’s Goalscoring Record in Dramatic Draw
Chipolopolo striker Fashion Sakala made history on Saturday, scoring his 24th goal for Al Fayha to become the club’s all-time leading scorer in Saudi Pro League history. Sakala’s stunning solo effort in the 91st minute helped his team secure a crucial point in a 1-1 draw against league leaders Al Ittihad.
Sakala Shines in High-Stakes Match
The record-breaking goal came in dramatic fashion. Sakala dispossessed Al Ittihad defender Abduleallah Hawsawi, weaved past Danilo Pereira, and found the bottom right corner of the net. His strike halted Al Ittihad’s nine-game winning streak and brought much-needed relief to Al Fayha, who are battling relegation.
Despite Al Ittihad’s dominance in possession, the first half ended goalless, with neither team managing a shot on target. The second half saw Al Fayha’s goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera produce heroics by saving two penalties from Karim Benzema and Houssem Aouar, keeping Al Fayha in the game until Sakala’s late heroics.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Sakala’s 24th goal broke the previous record of 23 league goals held jointly by Danilo Asprilla and Ronnie Fernández. Reflecting on the milestone, Sakala shared on social media, “History made. Poor boy with a big heart.”
Stellar Individual Performance
Sakala’s impact on the game extended beyond his goal. He led in several key metrics, including chances created (2), successful dribbles (5), opposition box touches (8), recoveries (12), and ground duels won (7).
A Hero On and Off the Pitch
Beyond his on-field achievements, Sakala has been a role model off the pitch. Hailing from a humble background, he has given back to his community through youth tournaments, wheelchair donations, and food drives, earning admiration both locally and abroad.
Survival Hopes Rest on Sakala
Signed from Rangers FC in 2023 for €4.65 million, Sakala has been Al Fayha’s talisman. With the team ranked 17th in the Saudi Pro League, they will be counting on him to guide them to safety as they prepare to face Al Okhdood on Thursday.
