JACOB BANDA: 15-YEARS OF UNDYING LOYALTY

Football was once regarded as a sport for young people who didn’t have a future beyond a classroom. In Zambia, many parents raised their boys with high hopes of them getting a good education, which more or less was considered as a ticket to one’s success.

17-years ago, a young Jacob Banda decided to go against what was then viewed as the only key to success. Banda, a budding young goalkeeper in the dusty streets of Ndola, abandoned his educational career in the ninth grade to pursue a career only he knew would be his key to success.

15-years later, Banda is arguably the most decorated player and goalkeeper to have ever played for ZESCO United Football Club.

Affectionately known as Spiderman among the club’s faithfuls, Banda has spent over two decades of his career making heroic saves for one football team. He has perhaps won everything that has to be won on the local scene.

A rare glimpse into Banda’s trophy cabinet is a show of the man’s relentless and unbending desire for silverware. He has eight Super League titles, two Mosi Cup titles, one Coca-Cola Cup title, six Absa Cup titles, and four Charity Shield titles to his name.

Banda is also regarded as a rare breed in the modern game for his undying loyalty to his favourite boyhood football club.

In an age where even the biggest, most impressive of stars can be lured away from their footballing home if the price is right, Banda’s allegiance to one team for the last 15-years has surely won him the cult hero status among ZESCO United fans.

He falls in the same category of legends like former Power Dynamos goalkeeper, Blackwell Chalwe, Manchester United winger, Ryan Giggs, AC Milan defender, Paulo Maldini, AS Roma striker Francesco Totti, and Zamalek striker Hamada Emam whose love for their boyhood dream teams still remains unquestionable.

But how did Banda find himself on the cards of ZESCO United and what could be the secret to his longevity in the game?

“I have always been a big fan of ZESCO United. However, I was motivated to be a goalkeeper by former Real Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. I was a big follower of Madrid between 2001 and 2002.”

Like many football players of his era, Banda decided to take the high road and pursue a career in the game. His journey through the game is a reflection of great determination and a strong will to succeed.

“My first stint as a goalkeeper was with Indeni Academy. I was later selected to be part of the Indeni main team. It wasn’t easy because I found experienced goalkeepers like Steven Munkonga who at that time was the first-choice goalkeeper. I had to wait for my opportunity but that also meant showing that I was worth the call.”

Widely respected purely for his talent, great reflexes, aerial prowess between the sticks, it was just a matter of time before Banda could be on the cards of one of the big hitters in Ndola town.

In 2005, ZESCO United won promotion to the Super League. The Ndola based side was meteorically pacing its way to the top of the Zambian game.

This development meant that the team had to make some signings that could make their stay in the topflight of the Zambian game longer.

“I signed for ZESCO United in 2005 under Coach Fredrick Ngwenya. It was a dream come true for me because, at that time, every young boy in Ndola wanted to play for ZESCO United. This was also the biggest test of my career because the club had some good goalkeepers. There was Emmanuel Musichili, Steven Munkonga, Ken Mumba. I had to work my way to the top because I was signed as a fourth choice goalkeeper.”

With ZESCO United’s goalkeeping department well marshalled by the experienced Musichili and Munkonga, Banda had to wait a bit longer for his time. A change in coaches saw the late Wesley Mondo take up the reigns at ZESCO United.

“I enjoyed some game time when the late Wesley Mondo was appointed as coach. He loved rotating goalkeepers. This gave me a very big opportunity to show that I can be trusted between the sticks.”

An outstanding performance against Power Dynamos and El Merrick of Sudan, and a rare maiden appearance at the U-20 FIFA World Cup competition held in Canada, set Banda on a path to greatness.

“I have great memories which I think made me excel as a goalkeeper at ZESCO United. One of my outstanding performances was against Power Dynamos in 2006, a game we won 1-0. We also beat Al Merrick 2-3 in Sudan in the CAF Champions League in 2009 with Jonas Sakuwaha scoring a hat-trick.

In 2007, I was the first choice goalkeeper for the Zambia U-20 national team that qualified for the 2007 U-20 World Cup. I think people started to notice that I was a good goalkeeper.”

ZESCO United Football club has gone through a significant facelift especially on the pitch. The team has become a domestic powerhouse and an emerging force on the continent.

The success of the team has largely rested on a good strategic plan which has evolved around an effective and efficient player recruitment process and not forgetting the sound sponsorship the club has enjoyed from its stakeholders.

Today, when a ZESCO United side takes to the pitch, the starting XI is a show of the club’s financial clout to attract some of the emerging talents on the continent and beyond.

On match day, the ball can traverse the field of play from a Zambian goalkeeper, to a Kenyan international defender, who later releases it to a Burundian midfielder who then crosses it over to either a Kenyan or a Zambian striker.

Banda’s light has shone brightly not just for his talent between the sticks but also for his leadership skills. As club captain, he has been able to keep the dressing room together in an age where football is largely dominated by superstar egos.

“I am very lucky to be captain of this side. However, it is not easy because you have to deal with players with totally different backgrounds and nationalities. I am happy because I have a good relationship with everyone and we all respect each other.”

At 33-years, Banda is well aware that he is probably entering the twilight of his career. The club recently acquired the services of Kenyan international goalkeeper, Ian Otieno.

The arrival of Otieno has seen the veteran goalkeeper being relegated to the bench. “It is a normal phase for any player of my age. I am happy with what Otieno has brought to the side. He is a young and good goalkeeper. I am here to help him grow at the club. I have learned quite a lot at this club. As such I have to pass on that knowledge to others.”

Banda maybe in the nightfall of his career, however, his fantastic reflexes and aerial prowess that made him a fan favourite at local and international level can still show.

“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink because these things are detrimental to one’s health, especially to us sportsmen. The secret to my longevity in the game is discipline and hard work. I train on my own even after the team’s official training sessions. This is what has kept me going.”

A father of three kids, Banda doesn’t suppress the thought of his son becoming his heir between the sticks: “I have two girls and one boy. My son is still very young to decide what he wants to do but he has already shown glimpses of being a goalkeeper. He sometimes asks for my gloves and pretends to be a goalkeeper. It will be great if he one-day become a goalkeeper.”

Banda may no longer command the same confidence that fans had for him when he first dawned TeamYaziko colours, however, it’s still impossible to deny that he has earned his reputation as not simply a wizard between the sticks, but as one who has contributed significantly to ZESCO United’s unparalleled success for the last two decades.

By Desmond Katongo