Zambia’s Banda Wins BBC Women’s Footballer Of The Year Award

Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Banda received the most votes from readers of the BBC Sport website after a five-player shortlist was announced in October.

The shortlist – based on performances from September 2023 to August 2024 – was selected by a large panel of experts involved in football around the world, including coaches, players, administrators and non-BBC journalists.

Reacting after receiving the award Banda said she was shocked and surprised to be announced the winner.

“I would like to thank the people who voted and everyone who has played a part in my life and my career – my family, my national team in Zambia and especially the Pride team. It is for everyone.”

Banda scored four goals for Zambia at the Paris Olympics this summer, including a first-half hat-trick against Australia, to become the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history with 10.

She scored 13 goals for Pride in 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular season, despite only joining in March, and four goals in the playoffs, including the winning goal in the championship final on Saturday as Orlando Pride won their maiden title.

Banda was also named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NWSL.

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati came second in the voting, while USA and Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith finished third.

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Norway and Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen and USA and San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma were also on the shortlist.

Banda became the second-most expensive women’s signing in history – behind Zambia team-mate Racheal Kundananji – when she joined Pride from Chinese club Shanghai Shengli $740,000 (£581,000) in March.

“My aim always is to score because I love scoring,” said Banda. ”
“My mum was not in support of it, but when women’s football started being recognised in Zambia she came to understand and let me do what I love doing most.”

Banda is also in the running for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award and will battle alongside Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade.