{{short description|Zambian footballer (born 2000)}} <!--{{Use Zambian English}}--> {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Barbra Banda | image = 2023-07-07 Fussball, Frauen, Länderspiel, Deutschland - Sambia 1DX 6960 by Stepro.jpg | caption = Banda with [[Zambia women's national football team|Zambia]] in 2023 | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|3|20|df=y}}<ref>{{FIFA player|378057}}</ref> | birth_place = [[Lusaka]], Zambia | height = 1.78 m | position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]] | currentclub = [[Orlando Pride]] | clubnumber = 11 | years1 = 2016–2018 | clubs1 = [[Green Buffaloes Women F.C.|Green Buffaloes]] | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2018–2020 | clubs2 = [[EDF Logroño|Logroño]] | caps2 = 28 | goals2 = 15 | years3 = 2020–2023 | clubs3 = [[Shanghai Shengli]] | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 18 | years4 = 2024– | clubs4 = [[Orlando Pride]] | caps4 = 43 | goals4 = 25 | nationalyears1 = 2014 | nationalteam1 = [[Zambia women's national under-17 football team|Zambia U-17]] | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2016– | nationalteam2 = [[Zambia women's national football team|Zambia]] | nationalcaps2 = 65 | nationalgoals2 = [[List of international goals scored by Barbra Banda|59]] | medaltemplates = | club-update = 23:49, 25 April 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 18 April 2026 }}
'''Barbra Banda''' (born 20 March 2000) is a Zambian professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[striker (association football)|striker]] for [[National Women's Soccer League]] (NWSL) club [[Orlando Pride]] and captains the [[Zambia women's national football team|Zambia national team]].
Banda is widely considered one of the top women's players in the world. She is Africa's all-time top scorer in [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Olympic]] football history, having scored three hat tricks at two Olympic Games. She led Zambia to win the [[2022 COSAFA Women's Championship|2022 COSAFA Women's Cup]], earning the Golden Ball with ten goals. In 2024, she was named [[African Women's Footballer of the Year]], [[BBC Women's Footballer of the Year]] and to the [[FIFPRO Women's World 11]].
In 2024, Banda signed with the Pride for the [[List of most expensive women's association football transfers|second-highest transfer fee]] in women's football history at the time. In her first season in the NWSL, she led the Pride to the [[NWSL Shield]], [[2024 NWSL Championship]], and was named the [[NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player]].
== Early life == Banda was born in [[Lusaka]], the Zambian capital. She began playing football around the age of seven playing on the streets.<ref name="bbc-boxer-1118">{{cite news |title=Zambia's Barbra Banda: The striker who is also a boxer |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/africa/46234822 |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/barbra-banda-we-have-something-within-us|title=Barbra Banda: "We have something within us"|website=Olympics.org|access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref> Banda was inspired by her father who played football and would encourage her to practise.<ref name="olympics-0623" /> She played with boys as the academy she attended did not have a girls team.<ref name="chinadaily-0920" /> After her parents became concerned that her focus on the sport was interfering with schooling, she would sometimes sneak out and "throw them (boots) out the window, then go out the door, and they'd think maybe she's just going outside, and then I'd go round to get them."<ref name="chinadaily-0920" />
==Club career== ===EDF Logroño, 2018–2020=== Banda signed with Spanish [[Primera División (women)|first division]] club [[EDF Logroño]] in October 2018 becoming the first woman Zambian footballer to play in Europe.<ref name="olympics-0623" /> She scored 16 goals in 28 matches with the club.<ref name="olympics-0623">{{cite web |title=Ronaldo-inspired Zambian striker Barbra Banda: "I want to leave my mark in women's football." |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/ronaldo-inspired-zambia-striker-barbra-banda |publisher=International Olympic Committee |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref>
===Shanghai Shengli, 2020–2023=== In January 2020, Banda signed with Chinese [[Chinese Women's Super League|Super League]] club [[:zh:上海农商银行女子足球队|Shanghai Shengli]].<ref name="Barbra Banda isn’t waiting around">{{cite web |last1=Watkins |first1=Claire |title=Barbra Banda isn't waiting around |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2021/07/23/barbra-banda-zambia-hat-trick-olympics-netherlands-analysis-profile/ |website=The Equalizer |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref> She scored in the 23rd minute of her debut for the club on 23 August.<ref name="chinadaily-0920">{{cite web |title=Ex-boxer Banda packing a punch for Shanghai |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202009/01/WS5f4da11ea310675eafc56ad1.html |publisher=China Daily |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=1 September 2020}}</ref> Banda went on to score 18 goals in 13 league matches to emerge as the [[2020 Chinese Women's Super League]] [[2020 Chinese Women's Super League#Top scorers|Golden Boot winner]] for most goals scored in the league.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahmadu|first=Samuel|date=11 October 2020|title=Barbra Banda emerges as Chinese Women's Super League top scorer|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/barbra-banda-emerges-as-chinese-womens-super-league-top/hibtstug5v4c166b59xfntbbc|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mubanga Jnr|first=Aaron|date=12 October 2020|title=Barbra Banda wins golden boot in her first season in China|url=https://zambianfootball.co.zm/barbra-banda-wins-golden-boot-in-her-first-season-in-china/zfadmin/|access-date=8 August 2021|website=Zambianfootball.co.zm|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022151531/https://zambianfootball.co.zm/barbra-banda-wins-golden-boot-in-her-first-season-in-china/zfadmin/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Orlando Pride, 2024–present === [[File:NC Courage vs Orlando Pride (Jun 2024) 057.jpg|280px|thumb|right|alt=Banda in a match against the North Carolina Courage, June 2024|Banda in a match against the North Carolina Courage, June 2024]] On 7 March 2024, the [[National Women's Soccer League]] club [[Orlando Pride]] announced that they had signed Banda to a four-year contract through the 2027 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orlando Pride acquires Zambian International Barbra Banda, signing forward to four-year deal |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/orlando-pride-acquires-zambian-international-barbra-banda |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=orlandocitysc.com|language=en}}</ref> Transferred for a $740,000 fee, the transaction was the [[List of most expensive women's association football transfers|second-highest in women's football history]] at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kassouf |first=Jeff |date=2024-03-05 |title=Source: Orlando Pride acquire Barbra Banda for $740,000 fee, second largest in world history – Equalizer Soccer |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/03/05/source-orlando-pride-acquire-barbra-banda-740000-transfer-fee-second-largest-world-history-nwsl-salary/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |language=en-US}}</ref> Banda made her club debut off the bench in a 1–0 win over the [[San Diego Wave]] on 19 April.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/match-report-orlando-pride-remains-unbeaten-with-1-0-win-over-san-diego-wave-fc|title=Match Report: Orlando Pride remains unbeaten with 1-0 win over San Diego Wave FC|date=2024-04-19|publisher=[[Orlando Pride]]|access-date=2024-11-08}}</ref> She made an impressive first start on 26 April, in which she assisted, scored, and drew a [[penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] in a 3–2 away win over the [[Washington Spirit]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wesh.com/article/orlando-pride-win-washington-spirit/60623149|last=Gramajo|first=Mike|title=Orlando Pride continues unbeaten start to season with win at Washington Spirit|date=2024-04-27|publisher=[[WESH]]|access-date=2024-04-27}}</ref> Banda scored eight goals in her first seven games, tying [[Sophia Smith (soccer, born 2000)|Sophia Smith]] for the [[NWSL Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] lead.<ref name="E524">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40213457/orlando-sets-nwsl-record-8th-straight-win-banda-brace|title=Orlando sets NWSL record with 8th straight win behind Banda brace|first=Jeff|last=Kassouf|date=2024-05-24|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=2024-05-25}}</ref> She was named [[NWSL Player of the Month]] for May with seven goals in five games, including three [[brace (association football)|brace]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/orlando-pride-forward-barbra-banda-named-may-player-of-the-month-presented-by-ea-sports|title=Orlando Pride Forward Barbra Banda Named May Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports|date=2024-06-06|publisher=[[National Women's Soccer League]]|access-date=2024-06-06}}</ref> On 7 July she scored her 12th goal of the season to open a battle between the league's last two undefeated teams, the Orlando Pride and the [[Kansas City Current]], which ended as a 2–1 win for the Pride.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article285969546.html|title=Undefeated no more: Kansas City Current suffers first loss of NWSL season to Orlando|last=Sperry|first=Daniel|date=2024-07-07|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|access-date=2024-11-08}}</ref> Orlando won the [[NWSL Shield|2024 NWSL Shield]] after finishing the regular season in first place, collecting the first trophy in club history.<ref name="2024Shield"/> Banda's 13 goals in the season were second in the league only to Kansas City's record-setting scorer [[Temwa Chawinga]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://equalizersoccer.com/quick-update/temwa-chawinga-wins-2024-nwsl-golden-boot/|title=Temwa Chawinga wins 2024 NWSL Golden Boot|date=2024-11-03|website=The Equalizer|access-date=2024-11-08}}</ref>
On 8 November, in the first round of the [[NWSL Playoffs|2024 NWSL Playoffs]], Banda scored two times in a 4–1 win over the [[Chicago Red Stars]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pride-red-stars-score-b89ebd1d4ad4bcca9a2777421eb42fe7|title=Orlando Pride advance to NWSL semifinals with a 4-1 victory over Chicago Red Stars|date=2024-11-08|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=2024-11-08}}</ref> In the semifinals, she scored Orlando's second goal and assisted [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]] for the third in Orlando's 3–2 win against the Kansas City Current.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://themaneland.com/2024/11/17/orlando-pride-vs-kansas-city-current-final-score-3-2-as-pride-advance-to-nwsl-championship/|title=Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current: Final Score 3-2 as Pride Advance to NWSL Championship|last=Rollins|first=Sean|date=2024-11-17|website=The Mane Land|access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref> Banda scored the lone goal of [[2024 NWSL Championship|the NWSL Championship Final]] on 23 November, threading the ball past [[Washington Spirit]] goalkeeper [[Aubrey Kingsbury]] at close range to secure a 1–0 victory. She was named the championship's [[NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player|MVP]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article296053114.html|title=Barbra Banda leads Orlando Pride to NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City|date=2024-11-23|last=Sperry|first=Daniel|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pride-spirit-score-59015d9ab0f9838244e284ab9ba339e3|title=Barbra Banda's goal leads Orlando over Washington 1-0 for NWSL championship. Marta earns title|date=2024-11-24|last=Osen|first=Avery|access-date=2024-11-26|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Banda's performance throughout the [[2024 NWSL season]] led to her being named to the [[NWSL Best XI]], nominated for the [[2024 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and [[NWSL Most Valuable Player|NWSL MVP]], and voted the [[BBC Women's Footballer of the Year]].<ref name="BBC24">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3e8d344vndo|title=Who is BBC Women's Footballer of the Year Banda?|date=2024-11-26|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/nwsl-reveals-2024-individual-awards-finalists-mvp-rookie-of-the-year/|title=NWSL Reveals 2024 Individual Awards Finalists|date=2024-11-14|website=[[Just Women's Sports]]|access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref>
In the 2025 season, Banda set an NWSL record for the fastest hat trick, scoring three against the Utah Royals in the first 38 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baer |first1=Jack |title=Barbra Banda scores fastest hat trick in NWSL history |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/breaking-news/article/barbra-banda-scores-fastest-hat-trick-in-nwsl-history-024642516.html |website=[[Yahoo Sports]] |date=24 May 2025}}</ref> On 16 August 2025, she suffered a hip adductor injury in a match against Kansas City, ruling her out for the remainder of the 2025 regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herrera |first=Sandra |date=2025-08-23 |title=Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda sidelined for season; 2024 NWSL Championship MVP injures hip adductor |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/orlando-pride-forward-barbra-banda-sidelined-for-season-2024-nwsl-championship-mvp-injures-hip-adductor/ |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
Banda returned to the field at the start of the 2026 season and was named to the March [[NWSL Team of the Month]] after netting three goals in her first three games back in action.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-04-03 |title=NWSL Announces March Best XI of the Month, Presented by Amazon Prime |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-march-best-xi-of-the-month-presented-by-amazon-prime-x7868 |access-date=2026-04-03 |website= |publisher=[[NWSL]] |language=en}}</ref>
==International career== === Junior === Banda represented the [[Zambia women's national under-17 football team]] in the [[2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup]]. She turned 14 during the tournament.<ref name="olympics-0623" />
=== Senior === {{external media | float = right | width = 340 | video1 = [https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/barbra-banda-scores-historic-hat-trick-zambia Barbra Banda scores historic hat trick for Zambia] ''retrieved 7 July 2023'' | video2 = | video3 = }} On 6 March 2016, Banda made her senior team debut in a [[2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification]] match against [[Namibia women's national football team|Namibia]].
Banda captained the Zambian squad at the [[Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2020 Olympics]] in Tokyo, the first time Zambia competed at the international tournament.<ref name="france24-0820">{{cite web |title=Barbra Banda: Zambian woman footballer packing a punch in China |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200827-barbra-banda-zambian-woman-footballer-packing-a-punch-in-china |publisher=France24 |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=27 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="dw-0721">{{cite web |title=Zambia's Barbra Banda one to watch after stellar Tokyo 2020 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/tokyo-2020-barbra-banda-stakes-claim-to-future-despite-zambias-exit/a-58661670 |publisher=DW |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=7 July 2021}}</ref> During the team's first group stage match, Banda scored a [[hat trick]] against the [[Netherlands women's national football team|Netherlands]]. The match ended 3–10, the worst ever loss for the Zambia women's national football team and the highest-scoring women's football match in Olympics history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/netherlands-womens-soccer-blows-out-zambia-in-historic-opening-win-134223836.html |title=Netherlands women's soccer blows out Zambia in historic win to open Olympics |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |first=Ryan |last=Young |date=21 July 2021 |access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> In their second group match, Banda scored another hat trick against [[China women's national football team|China]] with the match ending in a 4–4 draw. She became the first woman footballer in Olympic history to score back-to-back hat tricks and the first to score two hat tricks in one tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensolympic/tokyo2020/match-center/400065436|title=China PR 4–4 Zambia|website=Fifa.com|date=24 July 2021}}</ref> She is Africa's all-time top scorer in Olympic history.<ref name="espn-072421">{{cite web |title=Zambia's Barbra Banda on breaking Olympic record: I aim to become best in world |date=24 July 2021 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37619357/zambias-barbra-banda-breaking-olympic-record-aim-become-best-world |publisher=ESPN |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nightmare for Germany! World Cup favourites suffer shock warm-up friendly defeat to 77th-ranked Zambia with Barbra Banda netting stunning 102nd-minute winner |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/germany-world-cup-favourites-friendly-defeat-zambia-barbra-banda/blt36795973f2bdba37 |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=7 July 2023}}</ref>
On 6 July 2022, Banda and three teammates, including striker [[Racheal Kundananji]], were ruled ineligible to compete for Zambia in the World Cup-qualifying tournament, [[2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations|Africa Cup of Nations]], after a gender verification test found that their natural testosterone levels were above those allowed by the [[Confederation of African Football]], which has stricter [[Sex verification in sports|gender verification rules]] than the Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/07/06/barbra-banda-zambia-testosterone/|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|title=Zambian soccer star Barbra Banda ineligible because of high testosterone|date=6 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/07/06/barbra-banda-zambia-out-wafcon-gender-eligibility-test-testosterone-levels-caf-faz|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=Zambia's Barbra Banda Out of WAFCON Due to Gender Eligibility Tests, per Report|date=6 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Women's World Cup 2023 team guides part 12: Zambia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/09/womens-world-cup-2023-team-guides-part-12-zambia |work=The Guardian |access-date=12 July 2023 |date=July 9, 2023}}</ref> The ruling sparked significant controversy, with [[Human Rights Watch]] describing it as a "clear violation" of her human rights.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/13/zambian-woman-footballer-sex-tested-because-fifa-allows-it | title=Zambian Woman Footballer Sex Tested Because FIFA Allows It |website=Hrw.org| date=13 July 2022 }}</ref> In August 2022, following Zambia's third-place finish at the tournament (and despite Banda not being able to compete), she and seven of her teammates were promoted by the [[Zambian Army]]. Banda was given the rank of sergeant, the highest among the group.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Omotto |first1=Joel |title=Zambia military promotes Banda & seven others after World Cup qualification, bronze medal at 2022 Wafcon |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ug/news/zambia-military-promotes-banda-world-cup-2022-wafcon/bltd77d1bb0b565317e |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=12 July 2023 |date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805110837/https://www.goal.com/en-ug/news/zambia-military-promotes-banda-world-cup-2022-wafcon/bltd77d1bb0b565317e|archive-date=5 August 2022}}</ref>
In September 2022, Banda led Zambia to win their first [[2022 COSAFA Women's Championship|2022 COSAFA Women's Cup]], the top women's international football tournament for national teams from Southern Africa<ref name="zambia24-2022 COSAFA">{{cite web |title=Double delight for Barbra Banda as Copper Queens sweep COSAFA individual awards |date=12 September 2022 |url=https://zambia24.com/double-delight-for-barbra-banda-as-copper-queens-sweep-cosafa-individual-awards/ |publisher=Zambia24 |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Barbra Banda back 'with a bang' for Zambia after eligibility row |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/62832165 |publisher=BBC |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=8 September 2022}}</ref> Her ten goals earned her the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament.<ref name="zambia24-2022 COSAFA"/> In June 2023, Banda was named to the Zambian squad for the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]] in Australia and New Zealand after being ruled eligible to compete by FIFA in December 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barbra Banda eligible to play at Women's World Cup, says Fifa |date=21 December 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/64028532 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref>
[[File:2023-07-07 Fussball, Frauen, Länderspiel, Deutschland - Sambia 1DX 7004 by Stepro.jpg|thumb|280px|right|alt=Banda during the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]] 3–2 upset win over Germany, 7 July 2023|Banda during the 3–2 upset win over Germany, in a warm-up friendly match for [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]], 7 July 2023 ]]
On 7 July 2023, she scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 12th minute of [[Stoppage time|injury time]], against FIFA #2-[[FIFA Women's World Ranking|ranked]] [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]], leading #77-ranked Zambia to an astounding 3–2 [[Upset (competition)|upset]]. Banda was named Player of the Match.<ref>{{cite web |title=Banda answers Popp in 112th minute for Zambia to beat Germany 3-2 in Women's World Cup warmup |url=https://apnews.com/article/germany-zambia-banda-popp-womens-world-cup-6670100e4a8d212a796bdad944d9c0bf |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=7 July 2023}}</ref> Later that month, on 31 July, Banda won player of the match in Zambia's first win in a [[FIFA Women's World Cup|World Cup]], a 3–1 victory over [[Costa Rica women's national football team|Costa Rica]].<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Reuters |date=2023-07-31 |title=Zambia defeat Costa Rica to earn first-ever Women's World Cup points |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/31/zambia-defeat-costa-rica-to-earn-first-ever-womens-world-cup-points |access-date=2023-08-21 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 31, 2023 |title=Visa Player of the Match: Barbra Banda |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/sxbL6dBg00Oog8l6YRbXbA |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=FIFA}}</ref> In this game Banda scored Zambia's second-ever World Cup goal, a penalty kick which was also the 1,000th goal in Women's World Cup history.<ref name="Bandaauto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cup-now-zambia-finishes-on-a-high-note-with-first-world-cup-win|title=World Cup NOW: Zambia finishes on a high note with first World Cup win|website=FOX Sports}}</ref> On 9 April 2024, she scored a brace in a 2–0 away extra-time victory over [[Morocco women's national football team|Morocco]], qualifying her nation to the [[Football at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2024 Summer Olympics]] by winning the home-and-away series 3–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite web |last=Toufaily |first=Assile |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/assiletoufaily/2024/04/09/paris-2024-olympics-morocco-miss-out-on-historic-qualification-zambia-qualifies/ |title=Paris 2024 Olympics: Morocco Miss Out On Historic Qualification, Zambia Qualifies |work=Forbes |date=9 April 2024 }}</ref>
On 3 July 2024, Banda was called up to the Zambia squad for the [[Football at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1808448140476911849|user=Copper_Queens|title=COPPER QUEENS FINAL SQUAD FOR OLYMPICS|author=Zambia WNT|date=3 July 2024|access-date=7 July 2024}}</ref> Although Zambia failed to advance past the group stage, Banda was the joint second-highest goalscorer of the tournament after netting 4 goals in 3 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda and Marta Earn Places on 2024 FIFPRO Women's World 11 |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/orlando-pride-s-barbra-banda-and-marta-earn-places-on-2024-fifpro-women-s-world-11#:~:text=On%20an%20international%20stage,%20Banda,tricks%20at%20the%20Olympic%20Games. |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=orlandocitysc |language=en}}</ref> 3 of her goals combined for a [[hat-trick]] in Zambia's 6–5 loss to [[Australia women's national soccer team|Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-28 |title=Australia come from behind in epic 6-5 win at 2024 Paris Olympics as Zambia's Banda sets hat trick record |url=https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/australia-come-from-behind-in-epic-6-5-win-at-2024-paris-olympics-as-zambias-banda-sets-hat-trick-record/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
November 2024 saw her voted the [[BBC Women's Footballer of the Year]] after getting the most reader votes. This came after her performances in the 2024 Olympics, [[2024 National Women's Soccer League season|NWSL season]], and [[NWSL playoffs]], as well as her becoming the second most expensive women's signing in history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Barbra Banda wins BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8jypk4xz7xo |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Banda was the subject of an online attack by [[J. K. Rowling]] who implied that she is male. US Women's National Team Head Coach [[Emma Hayes]] and retired US midfielder [[Megan Rapinoe]] defended Banda.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Linehan |first1=Meg |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5967730/2024/12/04/nwsl-barbra-banda-bad-faith-attacks/ |title=NWSL missed a chance to help Barbra Banda amid bad-|work=New York Times |date=17 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jk-rowling-barbra-banda-bbc-footballer-of-the-year-award-trans-b2654651.html|title=Not even JK Rowling can take glory away from Barbra Banda|work=The Independent |date=27 November 2024 }}</ref> On 16 December 2024 Banda was voted the [[African Women's Footballer of the Year]] for 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-16 |title=Lookman, Banda and Williams are big winners at 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco |url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/lookman-banda-and-williams-are-big-winners-at-2024-caf-awards-in-marrakech-morocco |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=CAFonline.com}}</ref>
==Other work==
{{external media | float = right | width = 340 | video1 = [https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/africa/46234822 Zambia's Barbra Banda: The striker who is also a boxer] ''retrieved 7 July 2023'' | video2 = | video3 = }} After being inspired by Zambian professional boxer [[Catherine Phiri]], Banda started boxing around age 14<ref name="olympics-0623" /> first as an amateur and then after never losing a bout and other amateurs refusing to fight her, she turned professional.<ref name="bbc-boxer-1118"/><ref>{{cite web |title=In Zambia, women are boxing's stars |url=https://seattleglobalist.com/2017/03/22/in-zambia-women-are-boxings-stars/63745 |publisher=Seattle Globalist |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=March 22, 2017}}</ref> Banda competed in five professional bouts and won all five before opting to focus on football.<ref name="dw-0721"/>
In 2021, Banda launched the Barbra Banda Foundation which aims to support programs that promote empowerment for women and girls on issues of [[economic inequality]], gender-based violence, lack of access to equal opportunities, teenage pregnancies, and early marriages using the power of sport. The foundation co-hosts an annual football tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barbra Banda Foundation, Annual Women's Challenge Cup Launched |url=https://zambianfootball.co.zm/barbra-banda-foundation-annual-womens-challenge-cup-launched/ |publisher=Zambian Football |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=2 February 2021}}</ref> On the foundation, Banda said, "Like many, I did not come from a place of abundance and hence I understand what it means to need help and no one willing to help you. I have also experienced how much easier life gets when you have people ready to help you on your path to success."<ref>{{cite web |title='Barbra Banda Foundation to inspire the girl-child' |date=4 February 2021 |url=https://www.thezambiansun.news/2021/02/04/barbra-banda-foundation-to-inspire-the-girl-child/ |publisher=Lusaka Sun |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708042936/https://www.thezambiansun.news/2021/02/04/barbra-banda-foundation-to-inspire-the-girl-child/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Banda joined [[Common Goal (charity)|Common Goal]] in 2019 pledging at least 1% of her salary to a collective fund that supports football charities around the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=ntroducing our very first Zambian 🇿🇲 #CommonGoal members |url=https://www.facebook.com/CommonGoalOrg/posts/373385353301671:0?paipv=0&eav=AfbSfRn2jpM0xIrpnbwTyQnKDD51RfAuGld8yxD81byjtmECJcJHETQBFUT3rwswatU&_rdr |publisher=Common Goal |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref>
==Style of play== Banda is considered one of the best women's players in the world.<ref name="BBC24"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42095376/espn-2024-best-50-women-soccer-players-ranked-world|title=ESPN FC Women's Rank: Top 50 soccer players of 2024|date=2024-11-13|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref> A goal-scorer, she possesses speed, positioning, and finishing in front of net.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5902277/2024/11/06/barbra-banda-the-softly-spoken-zambian-goal-scorer-making-noise-with-orlando-pride/|title=Barbra Banda: The softly-spoken Zambian goal scorer making noise with Orlando Pride|date=2024-11-06|last=Yang|first=Steph|work=The New York Times |access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref> Banda notes Brazilian player [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]] and Portuguese men's footballer [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] as players she admires.<ref>{{cite web |title=Two hat-tricks in two games: Zambia goal machine Banda taking the Olympics by storm |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/news/two-hat-tricks-two-games-zambia-goal-machine-banda-olympics/190iimy8i0vi01j7j6c51incg3 |publisher=The Sporting News |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=26 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="olympics-0623" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Women's Footballer of the Year contender Banda |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crl82288k2po |website=BBC |date=15 October 2024 |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{missing information|statistics while playing for Green Buffaloes as women athletes have not historically been fairly represented on sports statistics platforms|date=March 2025}} {{updated|match played 24 April 2026}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/banda-barbra/333430/|title=Barbra Banda|website=Soccerway|accessdate=19 January 2025}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League ! colspan="2" |Cup<ref group="lower-alpha">Includes [[NWSL Challenge Cup]]</ref> ! colspan="2" |Playoffs<ref group=lower-alpha>Includes [[NWSL playoffs]]</ref> !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|[[EdF Logroño|Logroño]]
|[[2018–19 Primera División (women)|2018–19]] |[[Primera División (women)|Primera División]] |17||8||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||8 |-
|[[2019–20 Primera División (women)|2019–20]] |[[Primera División (women)|Primera División]] |9||7||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||7 |- !colspan="2"|Total !26!!15!!colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—!!26!!15 |- |[[Shanghai Shengli]] |[[2020 Chinese Women's Super League|2020]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=#CWSL {{!}} Topscorers of the League|url=https://twitter.com/CHNWNT/status/1315294569840476161|url-status=live|access-date=6 August 2021|website=China Women's Football - 中国女足|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141905/https://twitter.com/CHNWNT/status/1315294569840476161 |archive-date=2020-10-11 }}</ref> |[[Chinese Women's Super League]] |13||18||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||18 |- | rowspan="4"|[[Orlando Pride]] |[[2024 Orlando Pride season|2024]] | rowspan="3"|[[National Women's Soccer League|NWSL]] |22||13||colspan="2"|—||3||4||25||17 |- |[[2025 Orlando Pride season|2025]] |16||8||1||0|| colspan="2" |—||17||8 |- |[[2026 Orlando Pride season|2026]] |6||5||colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||6||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !43!!25!!1!!0!!3!!4!!47!!29 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !82!!58!!1!!0!!3!!4!!86!!62 |} {{notelist}}
===International goals=== {{Main|List of international goals scored by Barbra Banda}}
== Honours == '''Orlando Pride''' *[[NWSL Championship]]: [[2024 National Women's Soccer League season|2024]]<ref name=2024NWSLChamp>{{cite web |last1=Kassouf |first1=Jeff |title=Banda the difference as Orlando Pride crowned NWSL champs |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42573434/banda-difference-orlando-pride-crowned-nwsl-champs |website=[[ESPN]] |date=23 November 2024}}</ref> *[[NWSL Shield]]: [[2024 National Women's Soccer League season|2024]]<ref name="2024Shield">{{cite news |last=NWSL |date=7 October 2024 |title=Orlando Pride Claims 2024 NWSL Shield |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/orlando-pride-claims-2024-nwsl-shield-presented-by-carmax |access-date=9 October 2024 |website=NWSL}}</ref>
'''Zambia''' *[[COSAFA Women's Championship]]: [[2022 COSAFA Women's Championship|2022]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2022 |title=Zambia claim maiden HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women's Championship title |url=https://cosafa.com/en-fr-pr-zambia-claim-maiden-hollywoodbets-cosafa-womens-championship-title/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=COSAFA}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *[[Chinese Women's Super League]] Top scorer: [[2020 Chinese Women's Super League|2020]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=#CWSL {{!}} Topscorers of the League|url=https://twitter.com/CHNWNT/status/1315294569840476161|access-date=6 August 2021|website=China Women's Football - 中国女足}}</ref> *[[COSAFA Women's Championship]] top scorer: [[2022 COSAFA Women's Championship|2022]]<ref name="zambia24-2022 COSAFA"/> *[[IFFHS World's Best International Goal Scorer#Women's winners|IFFHS World's Best Woman International Goal Scorer]]: 2023<ref>{{cite web|date=2 January 2024|title=IFFHS WOMEN'S WORLD BEST INTERNATIONAL GOAL SCORER 2023|url=https://iffhs.com/posts/3292|access-date=2 January 2024|website=IFFHS}}</ref> *[[BBC Women's Footballer of the Year]]: 2024<ref>{{cite news |date=26 November 2024 |title=Barbra Banda wins BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8jypk4xz7xo |access-date=2 December 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> *[[NWSL Best XI First Team]]: [[2024 National Women's Soccer League season|2024]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWSL |date=18 November 2024 |title=NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime {{!}} NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-winners-of-2024-nwsl-best-xi-awards-presented-by-amazon-prime |access-date=22 November 2024 |publisher=NWSL}}</ref> *[[NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player]]: [[2024 National Women's Soccer League season|2024]]<ref name=2024NWSLChamp /> *[[FIFPRO World 11#FIFPRO Women's World 11|FIFPRO Women's World 11]]: 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Who is in the 2024 FIFPRO Women's World 11? {{!}} Aitana Bonmati, Barbra Banda & more! |url=https://www.fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/who-is-in-the-2024-fifpro-women-s-world-11 |date=9 December 2024 |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=FIFPRO}}</ref> 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025 FIFPRO World 11 winners revealed {{!}} Bellingham, Bonmati, Banda, Dembele, Palmer & more! |url=https://www.fifpro.org/en/articles/2025/11/2025-fifpro-world-11-winners-revealed |access-date=5 May 2025 |website=FIFPRO}}</ref> *[[African Women's Footballer of the Year]]: 2024<ref>{{cite news |title=Lookman, Banda and Williams are big winners at 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco |website=CAF Online |url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/lookman-banda-and-williams-are-big-winners-at-2024-caf-awards-in-marrakech-morocco/ |access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref> *[[CAF Team of the Year|CAF Team of the Year Women's XI]]: [[CAF Team of the Year#Women's XI|2023]],<ref>{{cite news |date=11 December 2023|title=Osimhen, Oshoala named African Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news/osimhen-oshoala-named-african-men-s-and-women-s-player-of-the-year-at-the-caf-awards-2023/|access-date=12 December 2023|website=CAF}}</ref> [[CAF Team of the Year#Women's XI 2|2024]]<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1868742955898470644|user=CAF_Online|title=FLAWLESS. Presenting the 𝐂𝐀𝐅 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐗𝐈 and it’s as extraordinary as they get!|author=Confederation of African Football|date=16 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref> ==See also== {{Portal bar|Women's association football|Olympic Games|Association football|Sports}} * [[Women's Olympic football tournament records and statistics]] * [[List of foreign Liga F players]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{NWSL player|0021a2896ee54ef191fb324dec97dd78/barbra-banda}} * [https://www.goal.com/en/player/barbra-banda/e2obgph6szyo04em3qr94g1qt Barbra Banda] at [[Goal (website)|GOAL]] * {{Soccerway.com}} * {{WorldFootball.net}} * {{Olympics.com|barbra-banda}} * {{Olympedia}} * {{Instagram}}
{{Orlando Pride squad}}
{{Navboxes | title = Zambia squads | bg = #198A00 | fg = white | bordercolor = #EF7D00 | list1 = {{Zambia squad 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations}} {{Zambia women's football squad 2020 Summer Olympics}} {{Zambia squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}} {{Zambia women's football squad 2024 Summer Olympics}} {{Zambia squad 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations}} }} {{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy | list = {{IFFHS World's Best International Goal Scorer}} {{2024 CAF Team of the Year (women)}} {{2023 CAF Team of the Year (women)}} {{COSAFA Women's Championship awards}} {{2024 NWSL Teams of the Year}} {{African Women's Footballer of the Year}} {{BBC Women's Footballer of the Year}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banda, Barbra}} [[Category:2000 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Women's association football forwards]] [[Category:Zambian women's footballers]] [[Category:21st-century Zambian sportswomen]] [[Category:Footballers from Lusaka]] [[Category:Zambia women's international footballers]] [[Category:Dux Logroño players]] [[Category:Liga F players]] [[Category:Chinese Women's Super League players]] [[Category:Zambian expatriate women's footballers]] [[Category:Zambian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]] [[Category:Zambian expatriate sportspeople in China]] [[Category:Expatriate women's footballers in Spain]] [[Category:Expatriate women's footballers in China]] [[Category:Footballers at the 2020 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Olympic footballers for Zambia]] [[Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players]] [[Category:Orlando Pride players]] [[Category:Zambian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]] [[Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States]] [[Category:National Women's Soccer League players]] [[Category:Zambian women boxers]] [[Category:Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations players]] [[Category:2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations players]] [[Category:2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations players]]