Zambian international midfielder Emmanuel Banda has been officially unveiled as the newest signing for Saudi Arabian First Division side Al-Tai FC.
Banda joins the club on a one-year deal, with an option to extend his stay beyond the initial term.
In a statement released by the club, Al-Tai FC confirmed the completion of the deal, stating, “Al-Tai Club management has completed the contract with the Zambian player Emmanuel Banda for one season with the option to extend.” The contract was signed by Mr. Bader Al-Suwaidi, CEO of Al-Tai FC, on behalf of the club.
Banda’s arrival in Saudi Arabia makes him the second active member of the Zambia national team to ply his trade in the country, following Fashion Sakala, who plays for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League. Banda has joined Al-Tai FC on a free transfer from Croatian side HNK Rijeka.
The former Nchanga Rangers player has been an integral part of the Zambian national team setup, although he missed out on the recent international fixtures against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone in the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Banda closes European chapter
Al-Tai FC has become Banda’s fifth club since he left Zambia in 2017 to join Belgian side KV Oostende.
Banda’s career in Europe has seen him play for several clubs. After his stint at KV Oostende, he had a loan spell with French side AS Béziers. He later moved to Sweden, where he featured for Djurgårdens IF before joining HNK Rijeka in January 2023.
After a one-and-a-half season with the Croatian club, HNK Rijeka, where he appeared in just 15 games and scored two goals in the SuperSport HNL, his move to Al-Tai FC marks the latest chapter in his professional journey.
During the 2023–24 season, Banda played in just three cameos in all competitions for the Croatian club.
Al-Tai were relegated last season after finishing 17th in the Saudi Pro League.
