Barbra Banda scoops home 2024 BBC Women’s player of the year award

Zambia’s own Barbra Banda has been officially honored as the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, a well-deserved accolade that highlights her exceptional talent and hard work on the pitch with Orlando Pride.

The announcement came after an exciting voting process, where readers of the BBC Sport website cast their ballots for their favorite from a five-player shortlist revealed last month.

This shortlist, which was meticulously crafted based on performances spanning from September 2023 to August 2024, featured contributions from a diverse panel of football experts. These included coaches, players, administrators, and independent journalists from around the globe, reflecting a wide-ranging appreciation for women’s football.

“I’m utterly shocked and beyond thrilled to receive this award,” expressed the talented 24-year-old Banda in her interview with BBC Sport. “My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who cast their vote, and to all those who have supported me throughout my journey—my family, my national team in Zambia, and especially my Pride teammates. This award belongs to all of us.”

Banda’s remarkable season included four goals for Zambia during the Paris Olympics this summer, highlighted by a stunning first-half hat-trick against Australia. This accomplishment catapulted her into the record books as the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history, totaling an impressive 10 goals.

In addition to her Olympic success, she found the net 13 times for Orlando Pride during the 2024 NWSL regular season, despite having joined the club only in March.

Following Banda in the voting were Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, who took second place, and USA’s Sophia Smith, who secured the third position. Other nominees included Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen and USA’s Naomi Girma, showcasing the outstanding talent in women’s football today.

Banda made headlines earlier this year when she became the second-most expensive women’s football transfer in history, joining Pride from Chinese club Shanghai Shengli for a staggering $740,000 (£581,000), trailing only behind fellow Zambia player Racheal Kundananji.

My goal has always been to score because I love finding the back of the net,” Banda stated. “But it all begins with training and having those constructive discussions with my coaches and teammates. It hasn’t always been easy, yet I firmly believe that hard work and dedication have paved the way for my success.”

The Zambian captain, who also ranked 12th in the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or, has a fascinating background as a former professional boxer, having claimed victory in all five of her matches before shifting her focus solely to football.

Reflecting on her journey, Banda noted, “Growing up in Zambia, especially as a young girl, was no walk in the park. It was quite challenging to break into sports like football, as many parents didn’t believe girls could excel in the game.”

“My mother was initially opposed to it, but as women’s football gained recognition in our country, she came to understand my passion and allowed me to pursue what I love most.”

In comments to BBC Sport, Orlando Pride head coach Seb Hines declared, “It’s fantastic to see Barbra gain the recognition she deserves, not just for her contributions to our team, but for the upliftment of African football as a whole. She is incredibly humble and a wonderful individual, and we are fortunate to have such great character within our squad. She genuinely puts the team’s success above all.”