ZAMBIA’s football star, Barbra Banda, has been forced to hang her boots for the rest of the American season after suffering a devastating hip injury while in full flight for Orlando Pride.
The Florida-based side confirmed yesterday that their leading scorer has been ruled out of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) campaign following a full thickness avulsion of her right adductor longus tendon, an injury which means the tendon has completely torn away from the bone.
The 25-year-old Copper Queens captain picked up the setback on August 16 during Pride’s clash with Kansas City Current.
Before disaster struck, Banda had already netted eight goals this season, cementing her reputation as one of the league’s deadliest forwards.
Last year, she was the Pride’s shining star, finishing with 17 goals and being crowned Most Valuable Player in the NWSL championship after scoring the lone winner against Washington Spirit.
“Barbra has been instrumental to our success and losing a player of her caliber is heartbreaking for the entire organisation,” stated Orlando Pride’s vice president of soccer operations and sporting director, Haley Carter.
Banda’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Pride’s attack, but her influence on the pitch has already carved her name among the game’s greats.
A Ballon d’Or nominee, Banda has terrorised defenders since her teenage years, scoring hat tricks at the Olympics like 3 was her favourite number, and finally being crowned African Women’s Player of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2024.
Her injury is a major blow for both her club and the Copper Queens, who count on her experience and goal-scoring prowess in international competitions.
By George Musonda
Kalemba August 24, 2025
