Former Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team coach Albert Kachinga has attributed Copper Queens striker Barbra Banda’s 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award to the strong foundation laid by her early coaches.
The Orlando Pride striker was named Women’s Player of the Year on Monday night, while Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman won the same award in the men’s category in Marrakech.
In an interview with BolaNews, Kachinga, who led the Zambia Under-17 squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Costa Rica, hails the achievements of the early coaches who coached her.
“It’s overwhelming. She has done enough for her to be crowned African best footballer of the year. Considering that, really, she’s come a long way, I only give credit to the foundation that was laid. With a good foundation, obviously, things are really moving in the right direction. So, really, I can only say congratulations to all the coaches that have been part of her life, her journey,” Kachinga said. “And I can only wish her all the best, and she must continue working hard.”
How Kachinga met Banda
Kachinga also recounted how he met Banda and included her in the Under-17 Girls team during the 2014 U-17 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“It so happened that, when we were preparing for World Cup qualifiers, we were camping at OYDC. Then she was young but good. She was part of the under-20 team that was going to Namibia,” Kachinga recalled.
“She was dropped because they said no, she’s too young. And that she can’t make the grade. Then the coach was Charles Bwale, who was coaching the under-20 girls.
“So, he contacted me, telling me to have a look at this girl. She’s young, but I think she can add value. So that’s how we called her to come. We said, instead of you going home, join your friends who are preparing for the last two qualifiers of the World Cup. And she picked up. From there on, we picked it up.”
Kachinga emphasized that with some technical refinements, Grace Chanda and Banda forged a formidable partnership.
“Incidentally, she teamed up with Grace Chanda, and it became a terror of the frontline for the under-seventeens at that time. So, she picked up from there on, and she never looked back,” Kachinga said.
Kachinga has encouraged aspiring footballers to replicate Banda’s discipline as a crucial factor in achieving success in football.
“Discipline is very cardinal. Barbara has been a very disciplined player. I advise other girls to prioritize discipline and clarity about their life goals. And, of course, there has to be a lot of guidance with these girls,” he concluded.
