OFFRANDE Zanzala celebrated his first Football League goal and vowed to do everything he can to help Accrington Stanley clinch the League Two title, because he has had too many bad experiences to throw away his dream.

The Derby County loanee had a traumatic childhood, caught up in the Second Republic of the Congo Civil War.

His parents and three brothers fled to Austria, then arrived in England when Zanzala was eight years old.

He made a life in football, joining Derby County’s Academy aged 12 and working his way through the club’s ranks.

Now the 21-year-old, who joined Stanley from the Rams in January until the end of the season, is looking to use his past experiences as a force for good with the Reds.

“From the start of the season before I came the gaffer said we were going to win the league. You can think ‘it’s hard to do’ or you can take it on the chin and believe you can do it, and we have done that,” said Zanzala, who completed the 4-0 win over Wycombe from the spot after coming off the bench, converting the penalty he earned.

“Everyone’s focused and strong minded on winning the league and we keep winning games.

“The job’s not done yet but we take every game as it comes, every training session we work hard as a team and we’re just looking to do the best we can with what we’ve got, not focus on anyone but ourselves.

“There are still games to play and we go to fight in every game and come out with three points, and that’s what we keep doing.

“We haven’t been beaten for a long time, that’s creating history in itself. But the big thing is we’re going for the league and the best thing that could happen to any footballer is lifting up the trophy and I think that’s what we all want. To end the season by winning the league is something that we would remember for the rest of our lives.

“The league is there for the taking.”

Of his career first League goal, Zanzala said: “Moments like this you only dream of when you’re young, playing football and scoring your first league goal. I was asking Jordan Clark to let me take the penalty to make my mark and let me be a part of this great history that we’re creating.

“Happy days, he let me take it, and it’s gone in the back of the net which is good for the team but it’s a special moment for myself and my family and friends.

“Moments like this I will never forget for the rest of my life.”

The main thing is we got three points but for me, from not coming from the best upbringing it’s helped me massively to stay focused.

“It’s not been the easiest, growing up in Congo and being part of civil war. It’s something I would never wish on anyone, the things you see and what I’ve been through. It’s been very difficult, not just for myself but my family as well. But I guess it’s made us stronger. It’s helped me to be focused and motivated to do the best I can with what I’ve got, having this privilege to play football, which many kids want. I just keep working hard every day and remembering where I’ve come from has helped me massively.

“The team have been supportive every day in training and in games. To be given the opportunity to come on the pitch from the manager himself, it’s just incredible, and for me to be playing a part and scoring it’s excellent.”