After one season with Israel’s Maccabi Petah Tikva, Zambian international winger Lameck Banda signed a four-year contract with US Lecce in 2022.
Banda began his career at Lusaka’s Nkwazi football club before moving to Zesco United. In 2019, he joined Russian club Arsenal Tula, where he reunited with his compatriots Evans Kangwa and Klings Kangwa.
He was later loaned out to Maccabi Netanya in 2020 where he made 24 appearances and only managed to score 2 goals.
Banda was on the move again in 2021 when he joined Israel outfit Maccabi Petah Tikva and made 33 appearances scoring 8 goals.
However, since moving to Italy he has played 29 games and only scored one goal with one assist in 14 starts.
The 2017 Zambian Super League young player of the year became the first Zambian player to score in the Italian league when he found the back of the net against Sampdoria in November last year.
On Sunday, Banda played the last four minutes in Lecce’s reverse fixture against Sampdoria which ended 1-1.
Some fans have criticized his failure to score goals but the Chipolopolo rapid winger has defended himself.
In an interview with Bolanews, Banda stated that the start of his career in Italy has been challenging, but he is trying hard to start scoring.
“It’s my first year to play in Serie A, and the way I found football here is different from all the other teams I have played for. It’s not easy. I can score more goals, but we have the best defenders in the Italian league. I’m slowly gaining experience; I don’t want to be in a hurry,” said Banda.
Umtiti tips Banda on being the best winger in Serie A
The 22-year-old winger sent a message to fans promising them to be patient with him as he is still adjusting to Italian football.
“I play well sometimes, but the way Serie A teams play their tactics makes it very difficult to score. The time will come for me to score when I get the tactics right,” he told BolaNews. “I am working hard on scoring more goals. Football here is very competitive and you find best defenders, it’s just time am learning maybe next season I do better.”
Banda further revealed that Barcelona defender who is on loan at Lecce and French world cup winner Samuel Umtiti has been encouraging him to continue to work on perfecting his finishing.
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He said, Umtiti told him that he can become the best attacker in Italy if he starts scoring goals for Lecce.
“Samuel was telling me am a good player, but the most important thing I need to do is concentrate on my finishing.”
Banda added that Umtiti said to him: “When you focus on your finishing and when you start scoring you will be the best in Italy.”
The Zambian also revealed that the Barcelona defender has been encouraging him to work extra hard.
