Zambian football striker Barbra Banda has been nominated for the prestigious BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, despite facing a significant gender eligibility controversy.
Banda is one of five nominees for this year’s award, competing against notable players including Naomi Girma, Caroline Graham Hansen, Sophia Smith, and Aitana Bonmati, the current Ballon d’Or winner.
Banda, who made headlines last year with her transfer to Orlando Pride for £581,000, is also the captain of the Zambian national team. Her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics was particularly remarkable, where she scored four goals, including a hat-trick against Australia. This achievement made her the highest-scoring African player in Olympic history, bringing her total Olympic goals to ten.
However, her journey has not been without challenges. Her inclusion in the Zambian team for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 was shrouded in controversy. Banda was removed from the squad just one day before the tournament after her testosterone levels were deemed too high. Despite her efforts to manage her condition through medication, she did not meet the eligibility criteria set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In a recent interview with the BBC, Banda expressed her disappointment over missing the tournament, describing the experience as “very difficult.” She has also represented Zambia in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, as well as last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Banda’s nomination has sparked mixed reactions online, with some critics labeling it a “disgrace” given the ongoing gender eligibility issues surrounding her. Nonetheless, Banda has embraced her nomination as a “big privilege and honour,” acknowledging the talent of her fellow nominees.
The winner of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award will be announced on November 26, with public voting open until October 28. As the football community watches closely, Banda’s nomination highlights both her exceptional skills and the complexities surrounding gender eligibility in sports.
