Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Barbra Banda

Discover the career path of Barbra Banda, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Barbra Banda is a Zambian professional footballer renowned for her role as a striker. She currently plays for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and serves as the captain of the Zambia national team. Banda is recognized for her prolific goal-scoring ability and leadership on the field, making her a prominent figure in women's soccer. She has represented Zambia in major international tournaments, showcasing her talent and contributing significantly to the team's performance.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2014: FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

In 2014, Barbra Banda represented the Zambia women's national under-17 football team in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, turning 14 during the tournament.

March 2016: Senior Team Debut

On 6 March 2016, Barbra Banda made her senior team debut in a 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Namibia.

October 2018: Signs with EDF Logroño

In October 2018, Barbra Banda signed with Spanish first division club EDF Logroño, becoming the first Zambian woman footballer to play in Europe.

2019: Joins Common Goal

In 2019, Barbra Banda joined Common Goal, pledging at least 1% of her salary to a collective fund that supports football charities around the world.

January 2020: Signs with Shanghai Shengli

In January 2020, Barbra Banda signed with Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shengli.

2020: 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

In 2020, Barbra Banda captained the Zambian squad at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. She scored hat tricks against both the Netherlands and China, becoming 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.

2021: Launch of Barbra Banda Foundation

In 2021, Barbra Banda launched the Barbra Banda Foundation to support programs that promote empowerment for women and girls on issues of economic inequality, gender-based violence, and lack of access to equal opportunities.

September 2022: Wins COSAFA Women's Cup

In September 2022, Barbra Banda led Zambia to victory in the 2022 COSAFA Women's Cup. Her ten goals earned her the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament.

2022: Zambia Wins COSAFA Women's Cup

In 2022, Barbra Banda led Zambia to victory in the COSAFA Women's Cup. She also won the Golden Ball award, scoring ten goals throughout the tournament.

June 2023: Named to Zambian Squad for FIFA Women's World Cup

In June 2023, Barbra Banda was named to the Zambian squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

July 2023: Victory over Germany and Player of the Match

On 7 July 2023, Barbra Banda scored two goals, including the game-winner, against FIFA #2-ranked Germany, leading Zambia to a 3–2 upset. She was named Player of the Match. Then, on 31 July 2023, Banda also won player of the match in Zambia's first win in a World Cup, a 3–1 victory over Costa Rica, scoring the 1,000th goal in Women's World Cup history.

March 2024: Signs with Orlando Pride

On 7 March 2024, Barbra Banda signed a four-year contract with the National Women's Soccer League club Orlando Pride through the 2027 season. The $740,000 transfer fee was the second-highest in women's football history at the time.

April 2024: Qualifies for 2024 Summer Olympics

On 9 April 2024, Barbra Banda scored a brace in a 2–0 away extra-time victory over Morocco, qualifying her nation to the 2024 Summer Olympics.

July 2024: 2024 Summer Olympics

On 3 July 2024, Barbra Banda was called up to the Zambia squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. 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.

November 2024: Voted BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

In November 2024, Barbra Banda was voted the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year. J. K. Rowling implied that she is male, leading Emma Hayes and Megan Rapinoe to defend Banda.

December 2024: African Women's Footballer of the Year

On 16 December 2024, Barbra Banda was voted the African Women's Footballer of the Year for 2024.

2024: NWSL Best XI and BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

Barbra Banda's performance throughout the 2024 NWSL season led to her being named to the NWSL Best XI, nominated for the Ballon d'Or and NWSL MVP, and voted the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year.

2024: Banda Leads Pride to NWSL Championship

In 2024, Barbra Banda signed with the Pride and led the team to the NWSL Shield and the 2024 NWSL Championship. She was also named the NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player.

2024: African Women's Footballer of the Year Award

In 2024, Barbra Banda was named African Women's Footballer of the Year, BBC Women's Footballer of the Year, and was selected for the FIFPRO Women's World 11.

2024: NWSL Championship Victory and MVP Award

In November 2024, Barbra Banda scored the lone goal in the NWSL Championship Final, securing a 1-0 victory for Orlando Pride. She was named the championship's MVP.