Lameck Banda finished the Serie A season with five goals and four assists.
The Zambian winger played a crucial role in Lecce’s survival push, contributing two goals and one assist in the final four matches of the campaign.
Those decisive performances helped the club secure Serie A status for a fifth consecutive season.
This is the longest consecutive run Lecce have had in Serie A, and the city was buzzing. However, as the squad prepared for pre-season training in early July, Banda was nowhere to be seen.
What Is the ‘Banda Case’
Lameck Banda returned to Zambia during the off-season to spend time with his family.
However, more than two weeks have passed since any Lecce teammates, club staff, or his representatives have had contact with him.
The Lecce squad is currently in Austria for a pre-season tour ahead of what promises to be a challenging Serie A campaign.
Players were called to Cutrofiano for routine pre-season medical examinations, but Banda was not present.
His agent explained the absence, saying: “Passport issues — I’m sorting out some bureaucratic matters and will be back with you.”
At the same time, the first Zambian player to feature in Serie A posted an Instagram video showing himself and friends playing football. The story was removed just minutes later.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Banda has been interested in a move to Saudi club Al-Fateh after contract negotiations with Lecce broke down last season.
Contract Talks Broke Down Last Season
Lecce forward Lameck Banda would have become a free agent when his contract with the club expired at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Lecce looked to keep their star winger and opened contract talks with the 25-year-old towards the end of last season, but no agreement was reached. Lecce triggered a one-year extension to keep Banda on the books for the 26/27 campaign.
The Giallorossi have made it a habit of selling players for a profit, with the departures of Dorgu and Hjulmand displaying the clear transfer strategy. With Banda potentially looking to move on and becoming a free agent, Lecce certainly wouldn’t refuse to sell the Zambian international.
Where Is Lame’s Banda?
Lameck Banda was seen at Lusaka airport, seemingly preparing to return to Italy after his holiday.
However, after failing to make contact with any Lecce staff members, teammates, or even his agent, nobody knows where Banda currently is.
Many people on social media have claimed he is “missing”. While that may be true from Lecce’s perspective, the situation appears more complicated.
Given the ongoing contract talks and reports that Banda wants a move to Al-Fateh. It is more likely he has gone AWOL in an attempt to force a transfer away from the club.
Whatever his objective, Lecce manager Stitch Damian believes the winger has taken the wrong approach.
“Whatever his objective, he has chosen the worst possible approach. I hope that the boy, when he returns, will be able to justify this delay on a bureaucratic level, as both he and his agent told us. Otherwise, it is an inexplicable delay and unacceptable for us,” Damian said during a recent press conference.
Banda’s Wife Continues to Post on Instagram
Lame’s Banda’s wife, Abigail Chats, has continued to post on Instagram. Most recently, as of the time of this post, she has a video on her Instagram story showing a pool in a villa. Seemingly acting as if nothing has happened and she is still on holiday. According to NKANI news agency, Banda departed on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, accompanied by his wife.
Banda’s Lecce Future up in the Air
The club have confirmed disciplinary measures for Banda’s return, but at the moment it looks as if he won’t be returning to Lecce.
Banda has now missed almost three weeks of pre-season training, raising concerns ahead of Lecce’s upcoming Coppa Italia tie, which is just 19 days away.
The club’s top scorer from the 2025/26 season could now be a doubt heading into what looks likely to be another challenging Serie A campaign in 2026/27.
His absence has left Lecce facing uncertainty as they prepare for the new season, with Banda’s availability becoming a key issue for the squad.
