Barbra Banda Makes History with Third Olympic Hat-Trick
Barbra Banda, the Zambian striker, has cemented her status as one of the most prolific goal scorers in women’s football. Her recent hat-trick against Australia at the Paris Olympics 2024 marked a historic achievement, making her the first player to score three hat-tricks in the tournament’s history.
Banda’s remarkable performance comes as no surprise, given her impressive track record. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, she became the first player to record back-to-back hat-tricks, etching her name in the history books. Her tally of 53 goals in just 60 matches for Zambia makes her Africa’s all-time leading scorer.
In addition to her Olympic exploits, Banda has also made a significant impact in the National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL) in the USA. After signing a lucrative $2.1 million deal, she joined the Orlando Pride in April and has already scored 12 goals in 12 games.
Banda’s success stems from her unpredictable nature and her ability to seize opportunities. “I feel when I’m given a chance, I have to utilize my chances very well,” she said. “So when I get a spot, I think I have a chance to score. I just have to put it [in the back] of the net.”
Zambia will now face Germany in its final group-stage game on Wednesday, July 31. With Banda in their ranks, they will be hoping to continue their impressive run and make a deep run into the tournament.