The Zambia Super League has attracted several foreign players in the recent past with some being a huge success like Jesse Jackson Were at Zesco United while others, well, let’s just say their stay was not as memorable.
Players from DR Congo make up the majority of the foreign players in Zambia with East African players continuing to increase in numbers from David Odhiambo, Anthony Akumu (now at Kaizer Chiefs), Enock Sabumukama to Musa Mohammed and Duke Abuya.
West Africa is now being represented well in the country with a number of Ghanian and Nigerian players having made a mark previously.
At Red Arrows there is a West African midfielder in Alassane Diarra a Malian.
The ZamFoot Crew caught up with the on loan Kafue Celtic man to talk about his football journey and as he tells us about his time in Zambia
Alasane Diarra came to Zambia on the 15th of September 2019 when he Joined then National league side Kafue Celtics and later on joined the Airmen.
Diarra like many young players started from humble beginning and worked his way up.
“I started playing football when I was 8years first with a small team in our city it was not easy but I had to fight every day..After that I joined an Academy YEELEN Academy in Mali when I was 11years old, I stayed there for almost 10years I learned a lot during my time there, and has made me be the footballer I am today. I moved here in 2019 to join Kafue Celtic played there for 3 months and then Joined Red Arrows football club,” Diarra told the ZamFoot Crew.
Players usually take long to settle but Diarra says it was easy for him because Zambia is a nice country.
“Zambia is a very Nice country I didn’t have any problems settling here,since I came here everything has been amazing and I thank God and my family for that.”
Diarra has been a key member of Chisi Mbewe’s Airmen and says he is enjoying each and every game that he plays for the Zambia Airfoce sponsored outfit.
“I enjoy being at Red Arrows every day that passes, I joined the team when I was young didn’t know much about Zambian football they scouted me and gave me a chance to show my talent and I am happy to be part of this team and contribute to its success,” he said.
“The competition here at Red Arrows is high the team spirit is amazing, the coaches teach and guide me and my teammates every day we have good and Bad days but we always stay together as one Big family.”
One of the pecks of playing for Arrows is playing alongside a 2012 African Cup winner in James Chamanga.
Diarra is full of praise for legendary James Chamanga who he says played a big role in home settling at Nkoloma Stadium.
“I think it’s an honor to play with James Chamanga, for me to be where I’m today at Arrows he has helped me a lot. I remember my first training with Arrows I just used to see the guys playing on tv and never met them in real life and James Chamanga the legend came to me to ask me how I’m feeling where am from and told me welcome and enjoy,” Diarra narrated.
“The gesture was something very special for me until now I’ll never forget that conversation with him, with young players and senior players my relationship with everyone is okay.”
“We respect each other and also listen to each other, A lot of Young players love having James Chamanga around, He is calm and encourages everyone. He treats everyone the same. He is not only a good footballer but a very nice person too,” he added.
The attacking midfielder is enjoying his stay in Zambia and enjoys eating Nshima with Chicken and also visiting the malls.
“I like going out when am free I like going to the shopping malls. I love to Eat Nshima and Chicken it’s my favorite and Zambian football fans really love there teams too much it makes the game beautiful,” he said.
When asked the difference between football back home in Mali and here in Zambia Diarra had this to say: Here the game is more physical and tactical more professional than back home.”
Diarra was also quick to ask the Arrows fans to keep supporting the team as they keep the team going with their support.
“To our fans I will say thank you for the support there are giving us, they should keep on supporting us cause without them only us the players we can’t achieve our goal, but together as one we can do wonders,” he said.
“Red Arrows fans are the best we win together and we Loss together for that we say thank you.”
Arrows are currently top of the table with 33 points from 18 games played so far and next up is a trip to Solwezi to face new big spenders, Kansanshi Dynamos.
