Barbra Banda Misses Season Due to Injury

• Barbra Banda missed the season due to an injury.
• She scored all goals in 16 matches of the season.
• The club will provide support to Banda during her rehabilitation.

Orlando Pride player Barbra Banda will not be able to play for the rest of the season due to an injury. The club announced this on Saturday.

Banda sustained the injury during the match against Kansas City Current on August 16. She received a "full ACL tear" — this means that the ligament completely detached from the bone.

A star from Zambia, who was recognized as the most valuable player of the NWSL finals in 2024, scored all goals in 16 matches this season. In the previous season, she started with 13 goals in the regular championship and four goals in the playoffs.

Sports director of Orlando Pride Hayley Carter expressed sympathy over the loss of such an important player for the team. She noted that the club will provide Banda with all necessary support during her rehabilitation.

Banda has been playing for the national team of Zambia since 2016. She was nominated for the Golden Ball and received titles as the best female footballer in Africa and the best female footballer of the year by BBC in 2024.

Tags: Sport/Football