Barbra Banda: All aboard the Banda-wagon as Zambian striker eyes greatness

Moments after stepping on stage in Marrakesh as the first Zambian to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Banda said her path to success had been “so tough”.

For in addition to her battle with her mother, the forward was also embroiled in a gender eligibility row over her ability to contest the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

She gained unwanted headlines when the Zambian FA, believing that her natural testosterone levels were too high, did not select her for the tournament.

With a deeper understanding of the situation, the FA has since fielded Banda in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Olympics and – most significantly – in the qualifying campaign for the 2025 Wafcon.

An insatiable goalscorer, Banda not only had the distinction of netting the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history but also struck four times in the two qualifiers that took Zambia back to Wafcon.

The Copper Queens are now eyeing a first continental title in Morocco next year after finishing third in the last edition.

“Our target as a team is to get that trophy because I think we deserve it,” she said.

And, in a bid to ensure 2025 delivers silverware, Zambia’s captain is ensuring the mission is crystal clear for the squad – wherever they may be.

“I keep on telling them we have a task ahead of us,” she explained.

“We are in different places but we communicate to keep ourselves together. We know we have this ahead of us – to go and get that trophy.”