Barbra Banda

Barbra Banda, born on March 20, 2000, is a prominent Zambian professional footballer and boxer, renowned for her exceptional skills as a striker. Currently, she plays for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Orlando Pride and proudly captains the Zambia national team. Banda's remarkable talent has earned her recognition as one of the top women's players globally.

In the realm of Olympic football, Banda has made history as Africa's all-time top scorer, achieving the remarkable feat of scoring three hat tricks across two Olympic Games. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding Zambia to victory in the 2022 COSAFA Women's Cup, where she not only helped her team secure the title but also earned the Golden Ball for her outstanding performance, netting ten goals throughout the tournament.

In 2024, Banda's career reached new heights when she signed with Orlando Pride for the second-highest transfer fee in women's football history at that time. Her debut season in the NWSL was nothing short of spectacular, as she led the Pride to clinch the NWSL Shield and the 2024 NWSL Championship, while also being honored as the NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player.

Her accolades continued to accumulate in 2024, as she was named the African Women's Footballer of the Year, the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year, and earned a spot in the prestigious FIFPRO Women's World 11, solidifying her status as a leading figure in women's football.