Zambia’s most sought after junior international striker, Lameck Banda, is the talk of the town at the U20 Cosafa Cup tournament.
The youngster is believed to have signed a pre-contract with former African Champions and South African Premier Soccer League side, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Banda impressed the Brazilians during his recent visit and the club has shown interest in him.
Sundowns were ready to sign the player, but Fifa rules prohibited them from doing so.
The rules state clearly that a player can only be eligible to move across borders if the player is 18 years or older. The 16-year-old denies that he has made up his mind on a move to Sundowns.
“Training with Sundowns was just okay. People received me well and I’m surprised that people think I signed with them. I have not signed anything with them. I have neither signed with Zanaco and Zesco. I was just invited to train with Sundowns,” he said.
Sundowns invited the player from the Zambian Premier league club, Nkwazi FC, after they had scouted him during the Cosafa U17 Championship in Mauritius in July .
The player impressed and had it not been for the age factor, he probably would have been signed by a major club.
“He is a very young boy and is still learning. What is important is for us the coaches to make sure that we impart the required knowledge so that he keeps on improving so that his future is bright,” said Mumamba Numba, Zambia Under 20 Coach.
At 16, Banda has also become the youngest player ever to join the senior national squad.
