Zambia’s national women’s team captain, Barbra Banda, wants to break more records at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The Copper Queens are returning to the Olympics for the second time. They made their debut at the competition during the Tokyo 2020 Games, which were played in 2021.
Despite failing to win in three matches, Banda stole the show with her double hat-trick heroics, scoring three against the Netherlands and China.
Bruce Mwape’s lasses are placed in Group B alongside the United States of America (USA), Australia, and Germany.
They will kick off their campaign with a tricky clash against the USA on Thursday before facing the Maltidas and later Germany
Banda has stated that she is aiming to create new records at the Olympic Games but believes that it will take teamwork for her to achieve her target.
“I want to look forward and maybe focus on creating other records. You know, football is a game of chances,” Banda, who is Africa’s highest scorer in Olympic history with six goals, told FIFA in an interview. “So, if I have the opportunity to have another record, then I definitely have to utilize that opportunity wisely.”
Banda wants Copper Queens to challenge World’s best
The 24-year-old striker has been on fire in the United States, scoring goals almost every week since joining the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in March of this year.
With 12 goals in only 12 games, she is currently tied for the league’s Golden Boot lead. Her goals have helped the Pride remain undefeated and top of the league standings, with 11 wins and five draws in 16 games.
“I’m so excited and happy to be at my second Olympics. It’s every person’s dream to play at that level. To represent my country makes me happy,” she said.
Reflecting on her previous Olympic Games experience, Banda said, “Teamwork helped me score all those goals. Those two hat-tricks are all about the team. I was never going to do that on my own.”
Banda has revealed that, despite being in the same group with formidable opponents, the Copper Queens intend to compete rather than simply participate in the Olympic Games.
“Yes, it is a tough group, but I believe that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. We’re not just going there to participate; we are going there to compete. We are going to try and do our best. We need to do more than what we did last time,” she stated.
READ MORE: USWNT coach admits Barbra Banda is the best striker in the World
