Zambia national team forward Fashion Sakala opened his FC Rangers goal account as he netted the equalizer in the Glasgow-based outfit’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in their final preseason friendly match.
The Light Blues and Los Blancos provided fantastic opposition in a game that marked 150 years of Rangers Football Club and was the first meeting of the two sides since the 1963 European Cup.
Steven Gerrard handed Sakala his first start for the Light Blues leading the attack alongside Ryan Kent while Carlo Ancelotti named quite a strong squad with Marcelo, Nacho, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo, Martin Odegaard, Lucas Vasquez, and Isco all in the starting lineup for the 13-time record winners of the UEFA Champions League.
The Zambian international could have put Rangers a goal up inside two minutes, John Lundstram made the run beyond the front three to pull a ball back for Sakala, and he very nearly turned the ball home for a dream start to life in Glasgow.
He then flashed a drive across the face of the goal, but it was Madrid who hit the front on eight minutes, Odegaard charged through the middle and found Rodrygo to his left. The Brazilian showed super skill to work his way into the area, and from an acute angle, found the bottom far corner to beat Allan McGregor. The former Sensational ZANACO man came close again with a header on a Tavernier cross.
Wright then broke free again and fed Sakala who couldn’t finish, and the ball dropped for Kent at the back post but somehow his effort came off the crossbar with Los Blancos again living dangerously.
Sakala’s big moment finally came in the 55th minute as classic harrying from Glen Kamara saw him win the ball high up the park from Lucas Vazquez to feed Sakala, and while it looked like he was going to be forced just too wide, he lashed the ball into the back of the net to level matters and open his goal account at Ibrox.
Gerrard decided to withdraw Sakala shortly after. Madrid was reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute, Nacho picking up a second yellow card for a high tackle on Kamara.
Substitute Cedric Itten found himself in the right position at the right time to put Rangers in the lead and the goal proved to be the winner for the Light Blues.
Sakala and his new teammates will start their season against Livingston on Saturday.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier (c) (Jones, 72), Goldson (Balogun, 85), Helander (Simpson, 45), Barisic (Bassey, 61), Davis (Kelly, 85), Lundstram (Arfield, 45), Wright (Kamara, 45), Hagi (Patterson, 61), Kent (Middleton, 61) Sakala (Itten, 61).
Here we go…remain focused baba!
Well done Fashion!!
After the first goal goes in – a big load of one’s back.
P.Daka and F.Sakala spent only about 6 days each training with their team mates. Both are still lurking full fitness. It was good to see them play. I Never watched the Leicester game but watched the Rangers game live and watched the BHA game up till the Half.
Mwepu looked fitter having started training from day 1 with his team mates. He was assertive on the ball like always. He looked good in the middle. Fashion was trying his best despite not being fit. You could see he is dangerous striker. When fully fit he will cause more havoc. Steve G said, “one can see the quality and he is a gem that needs a bit of polishing”.
Patson with time he will click. I’m told he was starved of the ball by his midfield. The whole team did not play at their best level.
Sorry meant to say, still lacking fitness
Fashion Sakala already looks like a wonderful player and he’s probably only 75% fit and ready. Wait till he hits 100%. I think we Rangers have unearthed a rare diamond. I’m so excited for him. He’s so cool and his positive energy is infectious in the best possible way. Thank you Namibia and remember to recommend your best players to Rangers. Because they will have a wonderful life you could only dream of.
So sorry I made a mistake I wrote Namibia instead of Zambia. My apologies