By Nchimunya Ng’andu
Fresh off her triumph as the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, Zambia’s football sensation Barbra Banda has earned a spot on the prestigious 16-woman shortlist for The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2024 award.
The Copper Queens captain joins 15 other elite players who were selected based on their outstanding performances between 21 August 2023 and 10 August 2024.
Banda’s inclusion marks yet another milestone in her illustrious career, showcasing her meteoric rise on both the club and international stage.
Banda has been a force to reckon with in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) since joining Orlando Pride from China’s Shanghai Shengli in March 2024.
Her debut season in the league has been nothing short of extraordinary. FIFA highlighted her crucial role in securing the NWSL championship, where she crowned a prolific season with the title-winning goal.
At the international level, Banda has continued to break barriers and set records.
During the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, she made history by scoring a hat-trick against Australia, becoming the first player ever to score three hat-tricks in Olympic football history.
This feat adds to her two hat-tricks at the Tokyo 2020 Games, cementing her reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in women’s football.
Banda isn’t the only Zambian making waves on the international football scene.
She and fellow countrymate Racheal Kundananji have been shortlisted for the Top Attacker Nominees, a category that will contribute to the formation of The Best FIFA Women’s 11.
Football fans worldwide have the chance to make their voices heard by voting for their favorite player by following this link: https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards-2024/en/best-fifa-womens-player.
Voting is free and open to all fans.
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