Zambia’s Barbra Banda is currently Africa’s leading top scorer with 8 goals, according to the 2024 International Football Federation for History and Statistics (IFFHS).

IFFHS released a list of 25 global stars that have scored in international matches for their respective national teams as well as goals scored in international club competitions.

All goals scored in major club competitions and international matches were taken into account from 1 January to 30 November 2024.

Lea Schueller, striker of FC Bayern München and Germany’s national team, has emerged as the new leader of the World Ranking of International Goals with a total of 14 goals to her name.

Schueller has surpassed Marie Antoinette Katoto of France and Paris Saint Germain (PSG), who has 13 goals, and the Australian forward of Arsenal, Caitlin Foord, with 11 goals.

2024 Good Year For BB11

Banda, who recently won the BBC Women Footballer of the Year award, has also earned another nomination for the prestigious 2024 FIFA Best Women Footballer of the Year.

The Orlando Pride striker, who also capped off her impressive year with the National Women’s Soccer League title, has scored eight goals within the timeframe from 1 January to 30 November 2024.

Banda opened her 2024 scoring account in February during the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.

She scored a brace in Zambia’s 3-all draw in Ndola before netting another brace against Morocco as the Copper Queens secured their place at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

However, after the 2024 Olympics, Banda only participated in the COSAFA Women’s Championship, which is not classified as full international games due to specific criteria.

Last year, Banda scooped the IFFHS World’s Best Woman International Goal Scorer award with 15 goals, beating competition from Salma Paralluelo (14) and Sam Kerr (13).

She became the first African player to win the award. Other previous winners are England’s Allen White (2021) and Sam Kerr of Australia (2022).