Barbra Banda makes history with CAF African Footballer of the Year award | OneFootball

Barbra Banda, the world’s second most expensive player in women’s football history, has been crowned the African Women’s Footballer of the Year at the CAF awards in Morocco. The 24-year-old has made history as the first player from Zambia to win the award.

The Zambian international has had a stellar 2024, winning the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, the NWSL Championship and Shield.

Banda is leaving very little room for the argument that she isn’t one of the best players on the planet. The 24-year-old has set the NWSL alight since making the move to Orlando Pride early in 2024. The transfer resulted in a staggering fee of $740,000 (£582,000) from Chinese club Shanghai Shengli. A sum that now appears a bargain for such a talented player.

The skilful striker scored 17 goals this season for Orlando Pride in the NWSL, leaving her second in the Golden Boot race only to Malawi sensation Temwa Chawinga. Banda was also crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player as she spearheaded Orlando to their first ever NWSL title.

Banda excelling in all possible areas

The Zambian also had a stellar year for her national side. She scored four clinical goals at the Paris Olympics. Banda’s goals included a noteworthy first half hat-trick against Australia, a game they eventually lost 6-5.

Banda is now Africa’s leading goalscorer in Olympic history, after scoring 10 across two tournaments. Since winning the award, the forward posted on social media that she had been ‘so humbled’ to win the accolade of best player. Yet a further indication of the incredible nature of one of the world’s best players.

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