Zambia’s Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or for the third time after another impressive season that saw her break Orlando Pride’s single-season scoring record. Banda continues to cement her place among the best female footballers in the world, with her performances for both club and country earning her recognition at the highest level. The 26-year-old forward has already made history on the international stage. She is Africa’s all-time leading scorer in Olympic football history, having scored three hat-tricks at the Olympic Games. Her journey has also been marked by major achievements with the Copper Queens. In 2022, Banda led Zambia to victory in the COSAFA Women’s Cup, scoring 10 goals and winning the Golden Boot as well as the Golden Ball. Her individual achievements continued to grow in 2024 when she was named African Women’s Footballer of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. She was also selected for the FIFPRO Women’s World 11, further confirming her status among the global elite. Away from football, Banda is also a serving Zambia Army officer, making her achievements on the football pitch even more remarkable. She is now among the 30 players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin, with Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga the only other African player on the list. For Banda, the nomination adds another chapter to an already remarkable career. For Zambia and Africa, her continued presence among the world’s best is a source of pride and another sign of the growing strength of women’s football on the continent. [Photo credit: Orlando Pride]