Barbra Banda (Zambia): "Africa is my foundation"

● The first player to score two consecutive hat-tricks at the Olympic Games, Barbra Banda continues to push the limits.
● Just weeks away from the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024, the Zambian captain reflects on her deep connection with Africa.
● In this exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, the 2024 African Women's Player of the Year shares her trophy dreams and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

She’s etched her name into the history books with hat-tricks. From Tokyo to Paris, through the World Cup and American pitches, Barbra Banda racks up records with effortless grace. 

On the field, she doesn’t just score goals: she challenges expectations, overturns hierarchies, and redefines the standards. Powerful, determined, instinctive—the captain of the Copper Queens embodies a new era of African women’s football: bold, unrestrained, and driven by limitless ambition.

At just 25, she’s already Zambia’s all-time top scorer. She’s scored at the World Cup, netted the tournament’s 1000th goal against Costa Rica, and made a stunning entrance into the American league. 

But for the reigning CAF African Women's Player of the Year’s ultimate success isn’t found in global spotlights. It lies in her roots. 

“I am African. This continent is my foundation,” she says without hesitation. Before stepping into the arena, the number 11 spoke to CAFonline.com with the honesty and clarity she’s known for. 

CAFonline.com: In Tokyo, at the Olympics, you became the first player in history to score two consecutive hat-tricks. And you did it again against Australia in Paris. Do you really realize what you accomplished on those days?

Barbra Banda : Honestly, it all comes down to hard work. When I think back to Tokyo 2021, those two back-to-back hat-tricks were the result of immense effort, team support, the staff, and the Zambian Federation. It wasn’t easy. We came into that tournament without much status—it was our first appearance. We didn’t get past the group stage, but we showed resilience as a team. And yes, scoring two hat-tricks in a row was powerful. Even in Paris, against Australia, I found the net again. We’re progressing. Zambia today is not the same team as before. We’ve now qualified for several major tournaments, and that shows we’re building something solid.

Despite all of that, despite the records, do you still play with the same sense of determination and freedom?

Of course. That’s how I play. I feel free on the pitch because I love what I do. And I keep working to get better. My goal is always to give more, to keep improving. I stay focused on my game.

You've built a reputation that goes far beyond the continent. Your feats at the Olympics, the 1000th World Cup goal against Costa Rica and a spectacular debut in the American league. But it's on African soil, at the upcoming WAFCON in Morocco, that you’ll need to uphold your status as queen of the continent. Do you feel particular pressure when playing in Africa?

Not at all. I’m African. I come from this continent, and I love it deeply. I grew up here, I played here. And if I’m where I am today, it’s thanks to Africa. This continent is my foundation. So I don’t feel any particular pressure. Playing here is natural. It’s home.

You became Zambia’s all-time top scorer at just 25. What drives you to keep pushing?

When I look at where I came from, I know I still have so much to give. Women’s football in Zambia has evolved so much. And if I’m scoring so many goals, it’s not just me—it’s the whole team. We depend on each other. To score, a teammate has to make that pass. So I tip my hat to all the girls, the staff, the coaches. Their advice is key to playing well, to making the right decisions in front of goal. It’s a collective effort. And even though I’ve already done a lot at 25, I know I can reach even more.

If you had to pick just one goal, one you’ll never forget?

I’ve scored quite a few (laughs), but the one against Germany and the one against Australia. Two strikes I keep in a very special corner of my memory.

Let’s talk about the Women’s AFCON. Zambia is in Group B with Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal. What are your thoughts?

It’s a strong group, with many challenges. But that’s what we want—challenges. We don’t underestimate anyone. African women’s football has come a long way. We’re focusing on ourselves, on our game. We’re aiming for the title. Last time, we finished third. This time, we want to go all the way. We want to make history.

And in that group is Morocco—a team you know well. A rivalry seems to be developing between your two nations. Will that match have a special flavour?

It’s true we’ve faced Morocco several times. But we’re not relying on the past. Morocco is improving quickly. This will be a completely different match. It’s on their home ground, which will make it even harder. We’re preparing for a whole new challenge. And we’re ready.

The biggest adjustment for your team is the arrival of a new head coach: Nora Häuptle. How is the collaboration going?

We have great respect for our former coach, Bruce Mwape. He took us far, into many major tournaments. He’s part of our history. Coach Nora is settling in very well—she’s adapting to our culture. We’ve already played two friendly matches, including one against Malawi. We’re building a strong team. She shares our passion for the country. She’s doing a great job, and we’re responding well to her expectations. There’s good chemistry.

And if you were to lift this TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON trophy—what would that continental title mean to you?

It would be indescribable. Every country dreams of winning this Cup. It’s the biggest in Africa. It would mean everything for us, for our motherland, Zambia. We want to do it for our flag, for our people, our supporters, for all those who believe in us. It would be a massive moment.

What would you say today to the little Barbra Banda who used to play in the streets of her neighbourhood?

I’d tell her: believe in yourself. Don’t give up. There will always be critics, but what matters is focus and determination. Hard work pays off. Don’t dwell on what people say online or anywhere else. Believe in your talent, and you’ll see how far it can take you.