Forward Barbra Banda has officially become a part of the Orlando Pride team after helping Zambia qualify for the Summer Olympics.
The Pride signed Banda last month for a record transfer fee of $740,000 from the Chinese Women’s Super League club Shanghai Shengli FC. She arrived in Orlando over the weekend and was warmly welcomed by fans at the airport.
After her first practice on Tuesday, she spoke highly of the National Women’s Soccer League and indicated that she believes she will fit in well with the Pride.
“I think the league is quite good. I’ve been following it for a long time,” she said. “I think it’s a very interesting league, very strong. All the teams are very physical, and fast. So I think it’s good for me to improve.”
Before coming to the United States, Banda was representing Zambia in international matches.
She scored two goals — including a penalty in extra time — in the second leg of Zambia’s win over Morocco to secure one of Africa’s two spots in the Olympics. Nigeria secured the other spot.
The Paris Games will be Zambia’s second Olympic appearance. The Copper Queens also competed in Tokyo, where Banda became known as a rising star after becoming the first player ever to score hat tricks in consecutive games.
Zambia is in a challenging group in France alongside the United States, Germany, and Australia. Banda also scored in Zambia’s first-ever win at the Women’s World Cup, a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica in the group stage last summer in New Zealand.
While she’s already well-known internationally, Banda’s move to the Pride will introduce her to a whole new audience, according to Orlando general manager Haley Carter.
“To bring Barbra to the NWSL, so the entire world can see her consistently week in and week out and the amazing things that she can do, she has a special one-of-a-kind talent,” Carter said. Banda joins a team that includes the legendary Marta as well as fellow Brazilian forward Adriana and midfielder Angelina.
The Pride has remained unbeaten so far this season, with three consecutive draws before a 1-0 win on the road against the Utah Royals. Marta, a six-time FIFA Player of the Year, came in as a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal.
Orlando is one of three NWSL teams yet to suffer a loss, along with Racing Louisville and the Kansas City Current. It is only the second time in Orlando’s history that the team has remained undefeated in its first four matches. Banda will bring a new dimension to the team’s attack, said Pride coach Seb Hines.
