Women's AFCON: 5 things to know about Barbra Banda, the group stage goal machine

05.08.26 FT Africa Women Cup of Nations

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Zambian striker Barbra Banda is leading the charge in the race for top scorer during the group stage of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Women’s AFCON 2026).

With 5 goals to her name, the Lusaka native is ahead of Cameroon's Marie Ngah Manga, Ivory Coast’s Inès Konan, and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga, each of whom have scored 3 goals.

World Cup: Five cruel scenarios that shattered African dreams!

A spotlight on the standout striker of Africa’s premier women’s competition.

• The daughter of a footballer, she began playing in the streets before joining the youth academy of a men’s club in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka.
• She was later signed by Zambian club Green Buffaloes, where she made her mark in the local league.
• In 2018, she was recruited by Spanish club Logroño, becoming the first Zambian woman to play in Europe.

• In 2020, she signed for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli. That same year, she claimed the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the Chinese league.
• Her stellar performances in China caught the eye of American side Orlando Pride, who signed her in 2024 for $740,000, making her the second most expensive player in women’s football history.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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