Exclusive: ‘Patson Daka Will Flourish Under Ruud van Nistelrooy,’ Says Dan Kabwe

Patson Daka’s former coach, Dan Kabwe, is confident in the striker's ability to thrive under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City.

Kabwe worked with Daka in 2016 at Super League side Power Dynamos before the player’s move to FC Liefering, a feeder side for Austrian side RB Salzburg.

At Leicester, Daka has struggled to cement his place in the team, but on his day he has shown flashes that he has what it takes to be the ultimate successor to club legend Jamie Vardy.

Since his arrival in 2021, Daka has managed 23 goals in 99 games in all competitions for the Foxes.

TIME TO FLOURISH  

Kabwe told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview that Daka is poised to flourish under the Manchester United legend’s watch. “It is a blessing that Daka will be playing under such a former prolific striker like van Nistelrooy, he will benefit from the experience of his new coach. I believe he will flourish,” Kabwe said.

On Wednesday, Daka made the best first impression to van Nistelrooy, coming off the bench to score Leicester’s third goal in the 3 – 1 Premier League win over West Ham.

This was van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge since his appointment. The goal was Daka’s 10th Premier League goal since he joined the former champions.

VAN NISTELROOY WILL LIKE DAKA’S WORK RATE

Kabwe, who holds a UEFA B coaching license, said Daka’s biggest asset is his work rate. “Every coach wants a player that gives it their best in training and on match day. Hard work is something that you cannot take away from Daka, that is something that the new coach will like about Daka.

“He is a kind of player who is always looking to improve, he is never satisfied with the average, so I believe they will click with van Nistelrooy,” Kabwe said.  

KEEP THE FITNESS

Kabwe hopes that Daka will remain fit for a longer duration of the season so that he keeps the momentum going. Daka is returning from an ankle Injury that has kept him on the treatment table since August 10, missing 17 matches in the process.

“It is obviously encouraging that he is fit again, this is good for both Leicester and the national team. We are in a period where there are a lot of games being played so staying fit will do him well in keeping the momentum,” Kabwe concluded.

NATIONAL TEAM BOOST

Kabwe, a former Chipolopolo technical advisor also touched on the importance of having Daka fit ahead of the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers next year.

Daka has not played for the national team since the team’s 1 -  0 defeat to the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on June 11 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

“I am sure coach Avram Grant will be praying that he [Daka] remains fit so that he is in the frame for a return to the national team. The team has missed him, and it would be good to have him back,” Kabwe said.

Zambia is fourth in Group E of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with three points from a possible 12. Morocco lead the group with nine points.

The team is set to play Congo Brazzaville on March 22, 2025 as they bid to revive their qualifying campaign.