Copper Queen players, Banda, Kundananji vie for CAF women’s player of the year

Zambia’s national women’s football team, the Copper Queens, have earned multiple nominations at the 2024 CAF Awards, with team captain Barbra Banda and her teammate Rachel Kundananji both shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

Banda has been outstanding for her club Orlando Pride, helping them secure the NWSL Shield and reach the playoffs final in the United States.

She scored 19 goals (16 in the regular season and three in the playoffs) and provided seven assists (six regular seasons, one playoff), playing a key role in the club’s record-breaking season.

Meanwhile, Kundananji played a crucial part in Bay FC’s successful first NWSL season, helping them finish seventh and qualify for the playoffs.

Both players also contributed significantly to Zambia’s qualification for major tournaments like the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the Olympics.

Banda further etched her name in history by scoring a third career hat-trick at the Olympics, becoming the first player in Women’s Olympic football history to achieve such a feat.

Although Banda is seen as the favourite for the award, she faces stiff competition from Malawian forwards Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, who have also had stellar seasons with their respective clubs.

In addition to the player nominations, Zambia’s Catherine Musonda has been shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year, with strong contenders including Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who is considered the favourite in this category.

The Copper Queens have also received recognition in the National Women’s Team of the Year category, where they are nominated alongside other top teams such as Morocco and Nigeria, following their impressive performances in international competitions, including their Olympic and WAFCON qualifications.

The CAF Awards 2024 will be held on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco, where the winners will be determined by a diverse panel, including members of the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and coaches and captains of African football associations.

The awards will recognise performances spanning from January 2024 to October 2024.

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