Lameck Banda reaches new milestone in Serie A

Zambia national team winger Lameck Banda hit a remarkable milestone, making his 100th official appearance for U.S. Lecce during their Serie A fixture against Atalanta on Monday.

The Chipolopolo star was honoured before kickoff of the Italian Serie A fixture against Atalanta at Via Del Mare for having made 100 appearances for US Lecce in all competitions.

 

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Banda joined Lecce in August, 2022, on a four-year contract with an option of a further year after a successful season at Maccabi Petah Tikva in Israel.

Banda hits 100 games for Lecce

A statement from the Serie A club confirmed: “Before the game, President Saverio Sticchi Damiani handed a celebratory shirt to Lameck Banda for the 100 official games in yellow-red.”

During the fixture at Stadio Ettore Giardiniero, Banda was not able to help Lecce as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta.

Since joining the club, the 25-year-old has scored seven goals and made eleven assists for Lecce in all competitions. He is the first Zambian in history to feature and score in the Italian topflight.

Banda signed a contract with Russian Premier League club FC Arsenal Tula. He joined his compatriots Evans Kangwa and Kings Kangwa at the club.

Banda first Zambian player in Serie A

He made his debut in the Russian Premier League for Arsenal Tula on 12 July 2019 in a season-opening game against FC Dynamo Moscow, as a starter.

On 3 September 2020, Banda signed with Maccabi Netanya.[4] On 7 September 2020, Arsenal Tula confirmed the transfer and announced that it is a loan until May 2021. On 6 August 2021, he returned to Israel, joining Maccabi Petah Tikva on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

In 2022, Banda joined newly promoted Serie A club U.S. Lecce on a permanent deal, signing a four-year deal with an option for a fifth season.

He then made his debut for the Italian club on 13 August, coming on as a substitute for Federico de Francesco in the 74th minute of a 2-1 league loss against Inter Milan.

By doing so, he became the first Zambian player to ever feature in a Serie A match. Banda has been capped by Zambia at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. He debuted for the senior Zambia national team in a friendly 3-1 win over the Congo on 25 March 2022.