Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda’s debut for the National Women’s Soccer League club Orlando Pride will be delayed, with the striker anticipated to miss the entire month.
Orlando Pride announced Banda as their new signing two weeks ago, after a near-record move from China’s Shanghai Shengli for a $740,000 transfer fee in a four-year contract.
It was the second-largest transfer in women’s football history, following her compatriot Racheal Kundananji’s $787,000 move to Bay FC from Madrid CFF last month.
Banda is set to rejoin her teammates in Florida next month. This will be after the last round of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers against Morocco on April 5 and 9.
Zamfoot reports that Banda is awaiting the receipt of her P-1 visa, a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign athletes or entertainers to visit the United States temporarily to participate in an event, competition, or performance before she can travel there.
The P-1 visa processing time might range from 3 to 6 months, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Department. Employers who pay the premium processing charge may have a P-1 visa processed in as little as 2–3 weeks.
Banda has since returned to China, where she will play a farewell match with Shanghai Shengli on March 23.
Meanwhile, Orlando kicked off their campaign in the NWSL on Saturday with a 2-2 draw against Racing Louisville.
They will host Angel City this weekend on Saturday for the second game in the league.
READ MORE: Barbra Banda shares expectations of playing in competitive NWSL after big move
