Zambia’s Barbra Banda has been named the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, defeating Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who finished as the runner-up.

The announcement was made at the star-studded 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.

Banda’s outstanding performances over the past year earned her the top honor.

The Zambia Women’s National team captain becomes the first Zambian to win the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award.

At the same awards ceremony, Banda also made the CAF/FIFPRO Africa XI 2024.

Playing for Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), she was a key figure in helping the team win the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship.

In the final against Washington Spirit, Barbra Banda scored the winning goal, securing the championship for her team.

Her accomplishments didn’t stop there. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Banda made history by scoring a hat-trick for Zambia, setting a new Olympic record for the most hat-tricks in women’s football.

This remarkable achievement made her one of the standout players of the tournament and cemented her place as a global footballing icon.

Banda’s outstanding year also saw her make history as the first African player to be included in the prestigious FIFPRO Women’s World XI for 2024.

Chiamaka Nnadozie Loses Player of the Year Award to Banda

In the other news, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, was a strong contender for the award. However, she lost the award category to Zambia’s Barbra Banda merging the runner-up of the title.

Nnadozie’s remarkable performances, including her crucial saves and leadership in goal, had earned her widespread recognition. However, she didn’t go home empty handed but made record.

She successfully defended her CAF Goalkeeper Player of the Year Award, edging out two other competitors.