Banda and Alex Mwewa, key players on the Zambian rugby team, are currently dealing with injuries as they prepare for the Rugby Africa men's qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for 16th and 17th September at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. Banda sustained an ankle injury, while Mwewa is nursing a shoulder injury following their participation in the third edition of the Zambezi Challenge Sevens tournament. This tournament served as a preparatory competition for both countries and took place in Harare over the weekend. Fine Chikamba, the team manager, expressed optimism in an interview, stating that the technical bench believes both players have the potential to recover before the crucial qualifiers. Chikamba explained the significance of the Zambezi tournament, emphasising its importance as part of the team's preparations. He noted that despite the injuries, the team appears well-prepared for the upcoming qualifiers. However, Chikamba acknowledged the absence of three players who did not participate in the preparatory competition. He emphasised the need for rigorous training as the team enters camp, addressing the areas where improvement is necessary, as highlighted during the Zimbabwe outing. The ultimate prize for the African qualifiers is direct qualification to the Olympic Games, while the second and third-placed teams will have a chance to compete in the Olympics repechage tournament. Zambia has been drawn into Group B for the qualifiers, alongside Kenya, Namibia, and Nigeria. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is placed in Group C with African champions Uganda, Algeria, and Burkina Faso. Group A features South Africa, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia.