Fashion Sakala's Al-Fayha wrapped up their year on a sour note, slumping to a 3-0 defeat away at Al-Khaleej in their round 18 clash of the Saudi Professional League. With one more match remaining on December 29th, the Zambian attacker will already be departing for national team duty just before Christmas, as he prepares to join the Chipolopolo camp in Lusaka on December 26th ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in January. Thursday's setback marked a worrying trend for Al-Fayha, extending their losing streak in the domestic league to four games. Each successive defeat has been more demoralizing than the last, with an increasingly concerning tendency to concede heavily. Despite the negative ending to the year, Sakala's individual performance in Saudi Arabia has been a bright spot. Since completing his switch from Scottish giants Rangers FC in August, the 25-year-old has amassed an impressive tally of seven league goals and three assists in 18 appearances. He was instrumental in their qualification for the Asian Champions League knockout stages, contributing three goals and two assists in six group games, including a brace and an assist in the crucial 4-1 win over Pakhtakor Tashkent that secured second place in Group A. Now, Sakala will shift his focus to the continent with aspirations of starting the new year on a high note alongside the Zambia national team. Having missed the last three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, Sakala, along with many other young players, will be making his debut in the tournament. They are hungry to leave a lasting mark and represent their country with pride. While Al-Fayha's domestic form may leave a bitter taste in the mouth, Sakala's individual brilliance and the upcoming continental challenge offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter future in 2024.