16.12.2024 | Football DNA
Barbra Banda is the 2024 CAF Women's Footballer of the Year, becoming only the second Zambian to win this prestigious award. The first was Kalusha Bwalya, who won the men’s category in 1988.
Zambia Women’s National Team captain, Banda, has etched her name in African football history by being the first Zambian woman to claim this honor. The award ceremony, held at the Palais des Congrès de Marrakech in Morocco, celebrated Banda’s outstanding achievements over the year. She triumphed over Morocco’s star striker Sana Mssoudy and Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to clinch the coveted title. Adding to the night of accolades, Banda was also named in the CAF/FIFPRO Africa XI 2024, cementing her place among the continent’s elite footballers.
A Southern African Trailblazer
With this achievement, Banda joins South Africa’s Noko Matlou and Thembi Kgatlana as the only players from Southern Africa to have received the award, a title traditionally dominated by West Africans. Notably, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala has claimed it a record six times.
A Remarkable Year of Firsts
The 2024 CAF Awards recognized performances from January to October 2024—a period in which Banda excelled both internationally and domestically. She was recently honored as the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year and made history as the first African to be named in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11, a global acknowledgment based on votes from 7,000 professional players.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Banda achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first player in women’s football to score three hat-tricks in Olympic history. She contributed four goals to the Copper Queens’ memorable campaign, showcasing her skill and resilience on the world stage.
Club Success with Orlando Pride
In her debut season with Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Banda delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 13 goals and providing 6 assists in the regular season. Her game-winning goal in the playoff final not only secured the championship for her team but also earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
A Role Model for the Next Generation
Barbra Banda’s triumph is a source of pride for Zambia and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent. Her journey underscores the importance of hard work, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The future looks bright for this trailblazer as she continues to elevate Zambian and African women’s football on the global stage.
Comments