Barbra Banda is the only African to be named in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI for both men and women. A total of 7,056 women’s footballers voted for the FIFPRO #World11 2024 edition.

Banda played a crucial role in helping Orlando Pride claim their first-ever women’s NWSL Championship, scoring 17 goals and providing 7 assists. The Zambian joined the US side in 2024 from Chinese Women’s Super League side Shanghai Shengli.

A product of the Zambian youth football system, Banda started her career at Green Buffaloes before moving to join Logroño in Spain. She is the captain of the Zambian women’s national team and has made 63 appearances for the Copper Queens, scoring 57 goals.

Banda has led her country to several major tournaments, including the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Cup, the Olympics (2020 and 2024), and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. She is also Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer at the Olympics.

Off the pitch, Banda is an inspiration to the next generation. She has a foundation, launched in 2021, which supports women’s empowerment, promotes gender equality, and tackles issues such as teenage pregnancy and early marriage through sports.