Zambia’s Barbra Banda burst onto the international scene as a 21-year-old at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
During that iteration of the tournament the super striker made history as she became the first footballer – man or woman – to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the Games. In spite of her efforts, her nation was eliminated in the group stage.
In France, despite Zambia still searching for a maiden victory in what is their second Olympics appearance, Banda continues to add gloss to her ever-growing reputation.
The Zambian skipper and her teammates somehow relinquished a comfortable 5-2 lead against Australia on Sunday in Nice, going on to lose 6-5 as the Aussies mounted one of the most enthralling comebacks in Olympic football history.
Despite her obvious disappointment at the extraordinary loss, Banda cemented her individual legacy at the Games by scoring a hat-trick during Sunday’s encounter. Coupled with her goal-scoring exploits in Tokyo three years ago, her latest trio of goals took the 24-year-old to three Olympic hat-tricks.
This is the most that any female footballer has managed at the quadrennial sports spectacle. The previous record was two hat-tricks, scored by Brazilian football juggernaut Cristiane Rozeira de Souza Silva (who is simply known as Cristiane).
Barbra Banda of Team Zambia shoots during the Group F match against China during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Miyagi Stadium in Rifu on 24 July 2021. (Photo: Koki Nagahama / Getty Images)
Barbra Banda on the attack for Zambia against Australia during the Paris 2024 Olympics at Stade de Nice on 28 July 2024. (Photo: Marc Atkins / Getty Images)
Coincidentally, with her latest hat-trick Banda is now just five goals short of surpassing Cristiane as the all-time top scorer in women’s football at the Games. The Brazilian has netted 14 Olympic goals in a glittering career. At 24, Banda can potentially make the record her own if Zambia qualify for the next Games.
Before that though, the Zambians face the mammoth task of vanquishing two-time world champions Germany in their last Group B match on Wednesday, 31 July.
In addition to the defeat to Australia, the Copper Queens were downed 3-0 by the US. The Americans have dominated women’s football at the Games, with four gold medals since the introduction of this segment 28 years ago.
To stand a chance of progressing to the quarterfinals the Zambians need to comfortably beat Germany and undo their poor goal difference of minus four. Though a win is not impossible against the formidable Germans, walloping them with a score big enough to undo this goal difference is unlikely.
Nevertheless, Banda will be out to add to her personal tally, hoping that, this time, her goals secure a maiden Olympic win for Zambia.
Belligerent Banda
Banda was born in the Zambian capital of Lusaka 24 years ago. As a youngster she juggled football and boxing as her favourite sports.
In fact, in the boxing ring she had more than 60 fights, winning most of them and earning a reputation as a belligerent boxer. She even went professional, fighting five times and winning all her bouts – four by knockout and one on points.
Eventually the load of juggling football, school and boxing became too much for Banda and she settled for the first.
“I never lost any bout, I won all the fights. I tried to have some fights, then I decided to concentrate on one thing, and I settled for football,” Banda said.
Her decision was made easier when Spanish club ED Logroño lured her away from Zambian outfit Green Buffaloes, making her the first female footballer from Zambia to sign a professional contract.
Sam Coffey of the US runs with the ball under pressure from Zambia's Barbra Banda during the Paris Olympics at Stade de Nice on 25 July 2024. (Photo: Marc Atkins / Getty Images)
She scored 16 goals in 28 games for the Spanish team and gained invaluable experience that was instrumental for the Copper Queens as they eventually qualified for the 2020 Games in Japan.
“I had to show them I am able and capable of doing it. I did my best and tried to help Logroño, looking at the position where I found them almost going down. I made some effort and we stayed in the top league,” she told the Olympic Channel before Tokyo 2020.
She did not stay too long in Europe though, signing for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli just before the Tokyo Games.
Read more: Olympic Games Paris 2024
After a fruitful spell in Shanghai (which included 41 goals in 51 matches), Banda joined US side Orlando Pride in March 2024, for a fee of $740,000, making her the second-most-expensive women’s soccer player in the world, behind compatriot Racheal Kundananji.
Tierna Davidson of the US battles for a header with Barbra Banda of Team Zambia during their Paris 2024 Group B match at Stade de Nice on 25 July 2024. (Photo: Marc Atkins / Getty Images)
During her time in America, the Copper Queens captain has scored 12 times in as many matches.
Banda’s exploits are all part of building her legacy, which may see her eventually take over from Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala as the leading African women’s footballer.
“I want people to know that Barbra Banda is playing when I am on the field. I want to create my own name and leave my mark,” said the 24-year-old.
On her current trajectory, Banda is a name that will not be soon forgotten by the world. Never mind Africa or Zambia. DM