Chipolopolo midfielder Emmanuel Banda has had an electrifying start in the Saudi Arabian Division One, scoring twice in his league debut for Al-Tai in a thrilling 3-2 win over Al Jandal on Monday.
The 25-year-old, who moved to Saudi Arabia in September from Croatian club Rijeka FC, made an immediate impact on the pitch, leading his new team to a crucial victory.
His two goals were crucial in propelling Al-Tai to fourth place in the standings, with 14 points after eight games.
After the match, the Zambian international took to social media to express his joy at his first league appearance for Al-Tai.
“Finally I heard the net today from my strikes. Happy to help the team and get a brace for myself in today’s win. Step by step,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
With his debut match behind him, Banda’s focus now shifts to the next challenge, the international break beginning next week, and he hopes to rejoin Avram Grant’s squad.
Banda returned to the national team squad last month, appearing in both games against Chad, which ended 0-0 and 1-0.
Zambia will host Ivory Coast on November 15, 2024, at the Levy Mwanawnasa Stadium in Ndola, before finishing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers away in Sierra Leone.
The Chipolopolo are currently second in Group G with 7 points, trailing Ivory Coast, which leads with 9, while Sierra Leone and Chad are third and fourth with 4 and 2 points, respectively.
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