Zambia's Patson Daka is delighted over his nomination for the African Youth Player of the Year award and says he is motivated to keep working hard.
The 19-year-old who had a flourishing 2017 must beat off competitions from Salam Giddou [Mali], Eric Ayiah [Ghana], Krepin Diatta [Senegal] and Luther Singh [South Africa] to clinch the individual accolade.
Earlier in March, Daka powered his country to clinch the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, finishing joint-top scorer with four goals and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
At club level, he contributed immensely as his Austrian side, Salzburg, won the Uefa Youth League and, thus, was rewarded with a new five-year deal.
"It’s a great feeling! I’ve been working hard since a very young age and the last one year has been really rewarding my efforts for which I thank God for," Daka told Goal.
"I want also to take this opportunity to thank all the coaches, teammates and fans that believed in me and helped me to reach this level.
"It gives me above all an extra motivation to keep on working hard; I’m still a young player with a lot of areas I have to improve.
"For the people of Zambia, it’s a great opportunity to remind them some very awesome happy moments the country experienced this year winning the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in front of our own fans which was so special and a moment to forever be treasured," he concluded.