Barbra Banda vs. The NWSL
The Orlando Pride had a rocky start to their NWSL season. They entered matchweek four with only three points; all coming from ties. They would not win a game until their fourth game against the Utah Royals, who are at the bottom of the table.
However, someone special entered the squad during their fifth match, and the Pride’s first-place dream came true.
Who is Barbra Banda?
Barbra Banda is a 24-year-old Zambian forward who played with EDF Logroño in Spain and Shanghai Shengli in China. She became the first woman Zambian soccer player to play in Europe and scored 16 goals in 28 appearances for EDF Logroño. She is also the top scorer in the Chinese Women’s Super League with 18 goals across 13 appearances.
Banda joined the Zambian National Team at 16 and is already Africa’s top Olympic goalscorer. In her 60 appearances with the Zambian National Team, she has 53 goals. She notes that Cristiano Ronaldo is her favorite player, and she is certainly modeling his greatness with club and country.
She was signed to the Orlando Pride for 2.1 million dollars, the second-highest transfer fee in the league, and for good reason. With only seven appearances for the Pride, she has eight goals.
Banda is tied with Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns forward and last year's Golden Boot winner, for first place in goals scored this season. With fewer appearances, she is in contention to win the prestigious award.
The Pride are currently at the top of the table and are on a historic eight-game winning streak. Along with the Kansas City Current, they have yet to lose a game this season. However, they have only scored 20 goals so far, compared to the Current’s 26.
Surely, Banda can change that in the next few matchweeks, and win the shield for the team and city that welcomed her with open arms.
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