Pride Stars Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda to Represent Zambia at 2024 Paris Olympics
Orlando Pride players Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda have been named to Zambia’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, as announced today.
Since joining Orlando Pride in April, Banda has been in sensational form, scoring 11 goals in 11 games, and is currently tied for the top scorer in the NWSL.
Banda has set league records with four braces in a single season, becoming the fifth player in history to achieve this feat.
This will be Banda’s second Olympic appearance following her historic performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she became the first player to score back-to-back hat tricks and total two hat tricks in one tournament.
Banda, the captain of the Copper Queens, first represented Zambia in 2016 and has competed in numerous tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she scored the game-winning goal against Costa Rica for Zambia’s first-ever World Cup win.
Grace Chanda, a midfielder for the Pride, has also been called up to represent Zambia. Chanda signed with Orlando Pride on May 30 and will join the team after Zambia’s Olympic run.
She has previously represented Zambia in the 2018 and 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations and was a finalist for African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2022. Chanda was instrumental in Zambia’s qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, although illness prevented her from participating.
During the 2020 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Chanda was Zambia’s top scorer with eight goals, securing their first Olympic appearance. She returned to the national team during this Olympic qualification cycle, playing in both qualifying matches against Morocco.
Zambia will make their second Olympic appearance after earning their spot by winning the CAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Banda scored four goals in this tournament, including a decisive brace that ensured Zambia’s qualification.
In the Group Stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Zambia is drawn into Group B and will face the United States on July 25, Australia on July 28, and Germany on July 31.
