Barbra Banda has already established herself as one of the greatest African women’s football players in history, despite being only 24 years old.
Her achievements on the field not only make her one of the deadliest strikers in the world but also a role model for young girls aspiring to become professional footballers.
BolaNews takes a look at her most iconic moments, even as she turns 24 years old.
Half a century of international goals.
Banda became the first Zambian national team player, male or female, to score 50 international goals since legendary marksman Godfrey Chitalu. And her landmark couldn’t have been more clutch, as it was an equalizer at the death against Ghana to send Zambia to the next round of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers. With age on her side, She is odds-on to break Chitalu’s international record of 79 goals.
Double hat-trick at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Copper Queens skipper made headlines at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by setting and breaking multiple records during her debut campaign in 2021. She became the first-ever women’s player to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the quadrennial showpiece following her pair of trebles against Netherlands and China in the group stage.
1000th FIFA World Cup goal
Legendary goalscorers like Marta and Abby Wambach have graced the FIFA Women’s World Cup ever since Ma Li netted the competition’s inaugural goal in China’s 4-0 obliteration of Norway in 1991. However, it was Barbra Banda who had the privilege of scoring the 1000th goal in its history. She scored the match-winning spot-kick in Zambia’s 3-1 win over Costa Rica in the final group match.
Record-breaking Orlando Pride transfer
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Orlando Pride paid a mouth-watering $740,000 to sign Banda from Shanghai Shengli FC this year. The Zambian striker became the second-most expensive player in women’s football history, behind compatriot Rachael Kundananji.
IFFHS recognition
In 2023, Banda was in peak form for the Zambian women’s national team. With 15 goals for the Copper Queens, she was officially awarded the IFFHS World’s Best International Goalscorer Award. The Zambian forward became just the third woman to win the award. Ellen White and Sam Kerr in 2021 and 2022, respectively, are the only other women to win it.
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