Lameck Banda and Kings Kangwa highlight impressive day for Zambians abroad

Following a group stage exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia national team stars Kings Kangwa and Lameck Banda as well as promising forward Chipyoka Songa each scored upon their return to club football on Saturday.

 

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After leaving for the AFCON in Morocco on the back of strong form for club Lecce, Lameck Banda opened the scoring as the Serie A club earned a surprise point at Juventus in a 1-1 draw.

The tricky winger cut inside from the left wing to fire in a powerful shot for the relegation battlers, who are now five points out of the drop zone following Saturday’s result. Banda resumed his good form for Lecce, where he now has two goals and an assist in his last four matches.

Weston McKinnie did equalize for hosts Juventus but Banda and Lecce continue to be on pace to avoid relegation, although plenty of time and work remains.

While Banda is helping his team stay afloat in the top flight of Italy, midfield playmaker Kings Kangwa continues to be an important player with Israeli title contenders Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Kangwa came off the bench to add the final goal in a dominant 4-0 victory away at Bnei Sakhnin, leaving the Camels five points clear at the top of the Israeli Premier League table.

The attacking midfielder had plenty of time to collect a pass and fire in his shot late on, his fourth goal of the season for last season’s runners-up. It is a much needed confidence booster for Kangwa, who was sent off during a 0-3 defeat for Zambia against hosts Morocco that resulted in their early elimination.

Kangwa, whose stellar performances saw him named foreign player of the year in the Israeli Premier League last season, has four goals and two assists in fifteen league matches this season.

But attention is due for a younger Zambian who is making his breakthrough in Israel this season. After leading Hapoel Petah Tikva to promotion from the second tier last season, Chipyoka Songa continued to impress in the top flight with a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over Maccabi Bnei Raina.

The 21-year-old former ZESCO United star assisted the second goal in a strong start for the hosts, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead inside the opening twenty minutes. Songa finished off the victory with a 63rd minute strike, ten minutes after countryman Emmanuel Banda set up Maccabi Bnei Raina’s only goal of the match.

Hapoel are adjusting to life in the top flight excellently and now sit in 6th place on the league table. Songa has six goals and two assists for the club, whose ambitions are growing along with that of the Zambian attacker who enjoyed two strong seasons in the Israeli second division before getting his opportunity on a bigger stage this campaign.