3/1 To Win
Playing time has been hard to come by for Offrande Zanzala since he joined Accrington Stanley in a loan deal until the end of the season back in January.
That said, if you talk to the man himself, he will immediately tell you that this is proving to be his best loan stint to date.
The 21-year-old has already had temporary spells at Stevenage and Chester in his promising career, so what is setting this one apart?
Accrington’s number 9 told dcfc.co.uk: “I’ve enjoyed it. I have been out on loan before, but this has been the best one so far.
“Even though I haven’t played much, I have come in and settled really quickly. The lads have taken me on board and there’s just a great spirit around the team.
“We’re doing great in the league, we’re going for promotion and atmosphere for a young player like me is just great to be around.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how these next few months unfold and what it brings.”
Naturally, what would make it perfect for Zanzala would be to be playing more games.
At the time of writing, the forward has made three appearances for Stanley – all as a substitute – and that largely boils down to the competition he faces.
He finds himself rivalled for a starting role at the Crown Ground – namely from Kayden Jackson and Sky Bet League 2’s top goalscorer, Billy Kee.
“We have got two quality strikers here that are doing well,” Zanzala said. “Billy Kee is the top scorer in League 2 at the moment and Kayden Jackson is also having a great season and is amongst the leading scorers.
“I can only learn from that. When they and the team are doing so well, I know it is difficult to be getting those starts.
“It’s all part of the experience. The manager (John Coleman) has said I am doing well in training and that I just need to keep doing what I am doing, keep working hard and that he knows what I am capable of.
“He wouldn’t have brought me in otherwise. I know I will get my chances and it’s up to me to take it. Everyone wants the same thing here and if I can play a part, then I will be more than happy.”
Kee, in particular, is someone that Zanzala has got a great deal of respect for.
“He’s a fantastic person and a great individual around the changing room,” Zanzala said about the 27-year-old former Leicester City and Burton Albion forward.
“Billy, as a lot of people know, has great character and also has a lot of experience in the game. He’s a role model and from the time that I have been here I have learned so much from him – not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
“He’s a leader, so supportive in every situation, but he also demands the best out of all of us. He demands 100 per cent and he’s the sort of character that every team that wants to be successful needs.
“His goals have been important, but technically and tactically he stands out at this level. He has helped me see the game in a very different aspect.”
Right now, Accrington are well in the thick of a battle to win promotion to League 1.
Sitting second with 32 games gone, they are well on track to get over the line and Zanzala revealed to us what sort of mentality that has been instilled within the group.
Effectively, there are 14 wars, as the forward described them, that need to be won.
“There’s so many teams that are going for promotion and for a lot of clubs, the three points really matter,” Zanzala said.
“The gaffer says to us a lot, in the changing room and in training, that we need to treat every single match like a war.
“It’s do-or-die, and you have to go out and put everything into it. A lot of games at this level are even and scrappy and you have to put everything in to come out on top in those games.
“We’re just keeping our heads down, we’re working hard and if we keep winning our games then we will be fine.
“The only people that can let Accrington down is ourselves and we’re focused on making sure that’s not the case.”
