After an impressive 2023 for his club, US Lecce, and Zambia, Lameck Banda is set to make his debut at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In March of last year, the 22-year-old stole the show with a quick-fire brace in Zambia’s 3-1 comeback win over Lesotho in the AFCON qualifiers.

He scored for his country for the first time in that game and has now gone on to net three goals for the Chipolopolo in nine appearances.

Despite not scoring many goals, Banda has been a joy to watch with his devastating dribbling skills and trickery for both club and country.

He has scored twice and assisted four times for Lecce in the Italian Serie A this season, securing a starting eleven spot on his team.

Lameck Banda looking to replicate club form at AFCON

Banda told FAZ media after joining the Chipolopolo camp in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that he hopes to replicate his club form at the AFCON.

“I will continue working hard so that I can replicate my form at the club on the national team. The most important thing is to work hard and do the work on the pitch,” he said.

On facing DR Congo in the first game of the tournament, Banda said, “For us, each game is important; we are not looking at names. We are ready to face all the teams in our group.” 

He also urged the fans to “continue to support us like they always do.” 

Banda, as well as defenders Gift Mphande and Frankie Musonda, completed the squad in Jeddah, where they will spend the next nine days before travelling to San Pedro for the AFCON.

Zambia is in Group F alongside Congo DR, Morocco, and Tanzania for the tournament.

The Chipolopolo boys will kick-start their campaign with Congo on January 17 before meeting Tanzania four days later and concluding their group fixtures with Morocco on January 24th.