Copper Queens striker Barbra Banda returned to the goalscoring fold on Saturday morning as she notched a crucial match winner for Orlando Pride, who downed Bay FC 1-0 at the PayPal Park.
In a mouth-watering clash with her compatriot Racheal Kundananji, dubbed the ‘Zambia Ku Chalo (meaning: Zambia to the world) derby‘, Banda came out on top with a late winning goal.
This meeting between the two sides was much more tightly contested than the reverse fixture, with Orlando Pride’s goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse making six saves, as many as her opposite number.
Kundananji was an attacking menace to the visitors, attempting more shots (4), completing more dribbles (4), creating more chances (3), and winning more tackles (3) than any other Bay FC player on the night.
The Zambian forward nearly walked away with a match-winning assist in the 83rd minute when she turned her marker inside-out on the left wing before setting up Rachel Hill, who fired just wide.
Banda punished Bay FC for that miss as she towered over their defence to head home the decisive goal in the 84th minute.
That goal brought an end to the Orlando Pride FC star’s four-game goalless streak dating back to early July. With her 13th goal from 17 matches, Banda has now equalled Brazilian icon Marta’s record for the most goals for Orlando Pride in a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, which the latter set in 2017.
“Thank you for showing up”- Banda to fans
“A hard-fought win against a very difficult team. Great performance from everyone. Home play off clinched,” Barbra Banda enthused following the victory.
“The unbeaten run is extended. Feels good to be back on the score sheet.”
“Happy to see my sister Racheal Kundananji and great support from our people. Thank you for showing up,” the Copper Queens skipper added.
Meanwhile, Racheal Kundananji wrote, “Defeat at home. We shall not relent✊.”
Orlando Pride will now aim to claim the NWSL Shield as they boast a seven-point lead over second-placed Washington Spirit with five regular-season games to go. They have secured a home playoff match for the NWSL playoffs set to kick off in November.
Meanwhile, Kundananji’s Bay FC, who occupy 8th position on the log, will qualify for the playoffs if they maintain that spot.
This could mean that Orlando Pride might face Bay FC in the quarterfinals, as the Shield winners will face the team that finishes 8th.
