Chipolopolo forward Lameck Banda scored the opener in US Lecce’s 3-2 loss to Bologna in the final game of the Italian Serie A.
Banda put Lecce in the lead at the Stadio Via Del Mare in the 17th minute with a beautiful strike off a Gabriel Strefezza cut back.
Marko Arnautovic thought he had drawn his side level but VAR disallowed his goal for offside.
Banda came close to doubling the lead in the 42nd minute but his headed effort could not get past Lukasz Skorupski in the Bologna goal.
Arnautovic finally got his goal in the 58th minute as headed in from close range. Joshua Zirkzee put Bologna in the lead with a nice finish in the 81st minute.
The game was however far from being over. Remi Oudin fired in a powerful left-footed strike inside the area to draw level in the 88th minute.
Bologna however were resilient, Skorupski denied Lecce the lead in additional time before Lewis Ferguson could grab the winner, 3-2 the match ended.
Lameck Banda was however sadly withdrawn with an injury in the 55th minute and replaced by Youssef Maleh.
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant will be hoping the injury of his speedy winger is not serious with Edward Chilufya already out of the Ivory Coast match.
Banda scored a brace at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium as Chipolopolo beat Lesotho 3-1 back in March.
The former Buildcon and ZESCO United player is part of Grant’s provisional squad for the Elephants showdown.
