Lecce Suspends Zambian Player Banda's Salary Amid Mysterious Absence

More than two weeks after Lecce began preseason training, the whereabouts of Namak Banda, the Zambian winger formerly of Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Petah Tikva, remain unknown. According to reports from Italy, Lecce has frozen Banda's salary and is considering disciplinary action after he failed to show up for training without providing a clear explanation. Banda's absence started on July 12, initially attributed to passport and bureaucratic issues by his representatives. Later, it was suggested that Banda was disappointed after Lecce rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al-Fateh, which sought to pay him significantly more. Lecce declined the offer due to their €6 million asking price, much higher than the Saudis' bid.

On July 21, Lecce issued an official statement saying they would investigate Banda's claims about bureaucratic difficulties and reserved the right to take disciplinary measures. Two days later, Banda was spotted at Lusaka airport in Zambia but has not been seen in Italy or at Lecce's training camp in Austria since. The club hopes there is no serious reason behind his disappearance. Adding to the mystery, Banda's wife, whom he married in June, recently unfollowed him on Instagram. Italian media note no proven connection between this and his absence but say it deepens the intrigue.

Lecce has so far been unable to contact Banda and continues to monitor the situation closely. Maccabi Petah Tikva is also following developments, as they retain a percentage of Banda's transfer rights.