The Zambian duo of Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji have missed out on the 30-player shortlist of nominees for the 2023 Dubai Globe Soccer Awards Best Women’s Player of the Year.
The awards are organized by the Dubai Sports Council, with the 14th official award gala set for January 19, 2024.
Nigerian and Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala is the only African player nominated for the Best Women’s Player award.
Oshoala bagged the Spanish Liga F title as well as the 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League. She scored 21 goals in the 2022–23 Liga F season.
Kundananji, on the other hand, took Primera División Femenina by storm with her incredible goal-scoring form, was an integral member of the Copper Queens squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 23-year-old striker scored 25 goals and assisted three for Madrid CFF in 29 matches to help her side to a record 5th-place finish. Kundananji has so far scored five goals in nine matches for Madrid CFF in the 2023–24 season.
Banda has equally not made the list despite recording some outstanding performances for her Chinese Super League side, Shanghai RCB. She captained the Copper Queens in their maiden World Cup appearance and scored one goal at the tournament.
With only two matches left before the Chinese League ends, the Zambian sensation has scored 14 goals so far. She is only behind Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga, who has scored 21.
Tabitha Chawinga also snubbed
Another surprise exclusion is Tabitha Chawinga, who became the first African player to win the top scorers accolade in Italy, scoring 23 goals in 23 matches.
The 27-year-old’s exploits caught the attention of Paris Saint-Germaine, who signed her on loan and already has five goals from six matches in the league. She also has one goal for PSG in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
READ MORE: Nominees for the women’s categories for the 2023 CAF Awards
The omission of Banda, Kundananji, and the Chawinga sisters means no player from Southern Africa is in the running for any award at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
Meanwhile, notable nominees include Linda Caicedo (Colombia), Sam Kerr (Australia), Alexander Popp (Germany), and Aitana Bonmati (Spain).
