CAN Féminine 2026: Barbra Banda single-handedly sinks Egypt
She is clearly Zambia’s number one weapon at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Barbra Banda blew Egypt away this Tuesday at the Rabat Olympic Stadium with a stunning four-goal performance in the Copper Queens’ emphatic 6-0 victory.
Already leading 1-0 at halftime, Zambia shifted gears after the break—and it was Banda who took full control. A 30-minute masterclass: the Zambian captain first converted a penalty in the 61st minute. Two minutes later, she doubled the lead.
She struck again in the 88th minute for Zambia’s fifth, and in added time (90+7), she capped off her festival with a personal fourth. In between, she also set up Eneless Phiri for the fifth goal at the 93rd minute—meaning she was decisive in five out of six Zambian goals.
The top scorer in a single match
Before joining the national team, Banda was already on fire in the NWSL. With Orlando Pride, she boasts 12 goals and 1 assist in 15 matches this season. Brimming with confidence, she’s proving she is Zambia’s ultimate weapon. Fast, powerful, and clinical, the 26-year-old is making the difference all by herself.
With such a start, she’s now leading the tournament’s scoring charts ahead of Morocco’s Ibtissam Jraidi and Ivory Coast’s Inès Konan, both of whom have scored braces. The Copper Queens can dream big—perhaps even beyond their last edition’s quarter-final finish.
Africa
13 July 2026
World Cup 2026
11 July 2026
