Zambian striker Lameck Banda has been hospitalized after collapsing during US Lecce’s 2-1 Serie A defeat to SSC Napoli on Saturday.
Lecce confirmed that the 25-year-old Chipolopolo forward was rushed to Cardarelli Hospital in Naples, where he is under observation.
“Following a challenge during the Napoli-Lecce match, Lameck Banda was forced to leave the playing field. The player was taken to the Cardarelli Hospital in Naples, where he is under observation,” US Lecce said in a brief statement on X.
The incident occurred in the 86th minute, seconds after colliding with Spanish player Miguel Gutiérrez.
Banda fell to the ground, alarming players and coaching staff from both clubs, who quickly reacted as the medical teams from both sides rushed to offer first aid.
Despite the initial scenes causing panic, Banda was reportedly evacuated conscious.
Several reports in Italy also indicate that the player was “conscious and out of danger.” However, there is no official medical report yet.
Banda has scored four goals this season (three in the Serie A and one in the Coppa Italia) and has provided three assists. He joined US Lecce in 2022 from Maccabi Petah Tikva in Israel for two million euros.
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