"We're all starting to fear that something might have happened to him": an African player has been missing since the resumption of play in mid-July in Italy

Expected to return to action on July 12th for the resumption of training with Lecce (Serie A), Lameck Banda failed to show up, citing logistical and administrative problems. Since then, the Zambian has given no sign of life. This mystery is causing concern in Italy.

Where is Lameck Banda? Having gone to Zambia, where he got married in June during the off-season, the Lecce striker has been missing since July 12th, the date on which the Lecce players were expected back at the club for medical tests and to resume training before the new season. He was also absent from the training camp that began three days later in Austria.

"US Lecce informs that the player, who was called up for the resumption of sporting activities, has indicated today that the logistical and administrative problems that have, until now, prevented his return to Italy are continuing," the Serie A club wrote in a statement on July 21. "The club will carry out the necessary checks regarding the circumstances cited by the player and reserves the right to take any appropriate measures, including disciplinary action, to ensure compliance with the contractual obligations related to a contract running until June 30, 2027."

No further signs of life

On July 23, the situation seemed to be nearing its resolution: photographed from behind, bag over his shoulder, alongside his wife at Lusaka airport, the capital of Zambia, Lameck Banda appeared to be about to return to Italy. Except he never boarded the plane for Puglia. And he hasn't given any sign of life since, neither to his managers, his agents, nor his teammates. While the 25-year-old hasn't posted on his Instagram account since July 6, apart from a brief video quickly deleted showing him playing football with friends (on July 12), his wife continues to post "stories," but without ever mentioning the striker.

"It's been two weeks now since anyone has heard from Banda, not even his agents," Lecce's sporting director, Stefano Trinchera, told Corriere del Mezzoriogno. "We're all starting to fear that something unrelated to football might have happened to him."

"What is happening is truly very unusual."

Initially, Lecce's management believed the Zambian international (22 caps, 3 goals) was trying to force a transfer. With his contract expiring in June 2027, he had refused all extension offers and was reportedly being courted by Saudi Arabian club Al-Fateh, but Lecce received no formal offer. "According to the information we have gathered, the club that wanted to sign him has now moved on and made offers to other players with a similar profile. They are therefore no longer interested in bringing him in," continued Stefano Trinchera.

Concern is therefore starting to rise within the Italian club. "I'm beginning to think that this affair isn't part of a strategy to get something from Lecce, but rather that it's hiding a personal problem."

Unfortunately, we too have begun to consider this possibility, because what is happening is truly very unusual."

Having arrived in Italy four years ago, Lameck Banda became the first Zambian to play in Serie A. He helped the Apulian club avoid relegation last season (finishing 17th), scoring five goals and providing four assists in 32 matches. He has just signed a one-year contract extension with Lecce, who decided to activate the clause in his contract.

"Will Banda come back? Honestly, it's a question I'm asking myself too. In eleven years, I've never experienced anything like this," said Saverio Sticchi Damiani during the Carmiano Neighborhood Tournament. "The player has vanished; I repeat, this has never happened to me before. I don't know the reasons for such behavior, and I hope that something more serious hasn't happened to him that we don't know about." According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lameck Banda is still in Zambia. But it's impossible to confirm this...