Congolese international Simon Banza has found himself unexpectedly sidelined at Portuguese club Braga, raising questions about his future at the club. Despite his impressive form last season, where he finished as one of the top scorers in the league, Banza has been excluded from the first team for disciplinary reasons, according to reports from Portuguese media outlet A Bola.
The 27-year-old striker’s absence was noticeable during Braga’s recent fixtures. Banza played just 21 minutes in the season opener against Estrela Amadora, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
He was subsequently left out of the squad entirely for the second match of the Portuguese championship against Boavista, which Braga lost 1-0.
His exclusion extended to the Europa League, where he was benched during the first leg of the third qualifying round against Servette Geneva.
The reasons for Banza’s sidelining remain somewhat opaque, with Braga’s coach, Carlos Carvalhal, offering a guarded explanation.
“We evaluate the behavior of the players, their commitment, and then we draw conclusions to form the starting eleven and make the call-ups,” Carvalhal said when asked about Banza’s situation.
“These are players who show attitude, work, and commitment. The competition is great, with Banza being a high-quality striker, and these two youngsters who will continue to progress and score more and more goals. Then, we choose who will play.”
While Carvalhal’s comments suggest that Banza’s exclusion might be due to competition within the squad, the disciplinary issues hinted at by A Bola paint a different picture.
The former Racing Club de Lens forward, who scored 21 goals last season and finished second in the Primeira Liga scoring charts, has now been relegated to training with the reserve team.
This demotion has fueled speculation that Banza is seeking a way out of Braga, with interest reportedly coming from clubs like West Ham United and Olympique de Marseille.
Banza’s fall from grace at Braga is all the more surprising given his performances over the last two seasons.
After joining from FC Famalicão, he quickly established himself as a key player for Braga, scoring 14 goals in all competitions during his first season.
His tally of 21 goals in the following season solidified his reputation as one of the top strikers in the Portuguese league.
At 28, Banza is at a critical juncture in his career. With his future at Braga now uncertain, a transfer seems increasingly likely.
The club’s president, António Salvador, is reportedly unsatisfied with the offers received so far, but Banza’s desire to move on could push a deal through before the transfer window closes.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Banza will return to Braga’s first team or if his time at the club is nearing its end.
For now, his absence from the squad and the ongoing transfer speculation suggest that a move away from Braga could be imminent.
Simon Banza foi despromovido à equipa B do SC Braga devido a motivos disciplinares, avança @maisfutebol pic.twitter.com/Ayor5WgbY0
— Cabine Desportiva (@CabineSport) August 18, 2024
