Zambian wonderkid Joseph Sabobo Banda completed a permanent move from FC Zurich to Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Thursday. He has joined the Israeli side on a four-year deal.
Joseph Banda, alias Sabobo, was touted to reach great heights at FC Zurich, having signed for them until 2029 from Zambian club Atletico Lusaka FC. Hence, his premature departure to Israel has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits.
The Israeli Premier League ranks below the Swiss Super League in UEFA’s coefficient rankings, forcing many to believe that Sabobo’s transfer is a downgrade.
However, here are three reasons why Sabobo’s move to Hapoel Be’er Sheva could work in his favour.
More playing time anticipated in Israel
Since moving to FC Zurich last year, Sabobo has hardly featured for the first team, with most of his appearances at the club coming with the U21s. The 19-year-old played just nine Swiss Super League matches since 2023-24 without starting any of them. Last season, Sabobo only clocked 271 minutes with the first team in all competitions.
For a player who is tipped to be a talismanic figure for the Chipolopolo Boys in the future, regular minutes at club level are necessary. Blessed with mesmerising skill and technical ability, Sabobo is far too gifted to be confined to the bench.
At Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the youngster will be expecting more playing time, as he is a valuable addition to a side aiming for the Israeli Premier League title.
Kings Kangwa mentorship and partnership
Chipolopolo midfielder Kings Kangwa, who plays for Hapoel Be’er Sheva, is believed to have played a big role in Joseph Sabobo Banda’s transfer. The playmaker took the Liga Ha’Al by storm last season, scoring 14 goals and providing nine assists in 35 games to bag the Best Foreign Player award.
Similar to Sabobo, Kangwa joined Hapoel Be’er Sheva after struggling for minutes at Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. Now, Sabobo will be hoping to replicate Kangwa’s resurgence and make a similar impact in Israel.
Given their chemistry from playing together for the Chipolopolo Boys and Kangwa’s experience in European football, Sabobo will thrive under his compatriot’s guidance at Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Following a proven path
Making the switch from the Zambian topflight to a highly technical league like the Swiss Super League can be quite challenging for a young player. Joseph Sabobo Banda was playing on the books of Nkwazi FC, on loan from Atletico Lusaka, when he made the transfer to FC Zurich.
Now, a move to the Israeli Premier League could serve as a valuable stepping stone in his career. Having seen several Zambian players, including Emmanuel Mayuka, Rodgers Kola, William Njobvu, Lameck Banda, and Kings Kangwa, who compete in Israel, Sabobo will be confident of making his mark.
READ ALSO: Sabobo joins Hapoel Beer Sheva from FC Zurich.
