Napoli star Lameck Banda collapses on pitch in terrifying scenes as Antonio Conte left shaken

Lameck Banda collapsed at the close of Lecce’s Serie A clash with Napoli on Saturday evening in a horrifying incident, as medical staff rushed onto the pitch to aid the 25-year-old

Lameck Banda collapsed during Lecce’s Serie A fixture with Napoli on Saturday evening, in a terrifying incident.

Napoli were 2-1 up with just four minutes remaining in the game when Lecce set up to take a free kick and chase an equaliser. However, play was brought to a standstill when 25-year-old winger, Banda, fell to the ground.

Medical staff quickly rushed onto the pitch with a stretcher and golf buggy, as they attended to the Zambia international – who was carted away to an ambulance on standby at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Banda received an ovation from the crowd inside the ground, as he was taken to hospital for further tests. Reports have since confirmed that he is conscious.

Napoli manager, Antonio Conte, has also detailed the horrific moment when Banda collapsed.

Speaking to DAZN Italia after the match, the head coach said: “I was right there preparing the wall for a free kick and I saw him looking a bit shaky, he started to go down, then he had his hand on his chest, which really frightened me.

“I rushed onto the field and called for help, I hope he is doing well and has a quick recovery.

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“Banda is a good lad, he’s expecting a baby too, so I wish him and his family well.”

Despite starting the game bright, Lecce ultimately suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Napoli on the night.

Jamil Siebert opened the scoring for the visitors with just three minutes played, with Lecce weathering the storm and heading into the interval with the advantage.

However, it was Manchester United loanee, Rasmus Hojlund, who broke the deadlock immediately after the restart to get Napoli back on track.

Matteo Politano then provided the goal-winning game with a little over 20 minutes left on the clock to steal all three points for Gli Azzurri.

As a result of the win, Napoli trail league leaders Inter Milan by nine points in third in the Serie A standings. However, they sit just one point behind second-place AC Milan, although I Rossoneri still have a game to play this weekend against Lazio come 7.45pm on Sunday.

Lecce, meanwhile, sit 16th on the league table, just three points clear of the drop zone with a 17th Fiorentina and an 18th Cremonese to meet on Monday.

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