Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbara Banda has emerged as a strong contender for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.
She is competing for the prestigious accolade alongside Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Banda made history at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, becoming the first player to score a third hat-trick in the tournament’s history. The year 2024 marked a breakthrough for the Copper Queens captain, following her move from Shanghai Shengli in China to Orlando Pride as the second most expensive player in women’s football history.
Her debut season with Orlando Pride was sensational, scoring 17 goals in 25 matches, including a decisive strike in the final that secured the NWSL title. She was also crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player, capping off a stellar year.
Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy is also in the running after being named Best Player of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, where she led her team to the finals.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie shone with Paris FC, earning the 2023/24 Division 1 Féminine Goalkeeper of the Season award as her side finished third in the league.
The winner will be decided through votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches, captains of Member Associations, and clubs in the group stages of Interclub competitions.
The awards ceremony, where last year’s winner Asisat Oshoala earned a record sixth title, will take place in Morocco.
By Lawrencia Akosua Adjei
The post 2024 CAF Awards: Zambia’s Barbara Banda tipped for Women’s Player Of The Year first appeared on 3News.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS