Zambia captain Barbra Banda has signed a new contract with Orlando Pride that will keep her at the NWSL club through the 2029 season, extending the stay of one of the league’s most prolific forwards.
The 26-year-old striker joined Orlando in March 2024 and made an immediate impact, helping the Pride secure the NWSL Shield and Championship double during her debut season. Banda scored 13 regular-season goals before adding four more in the playoffs, including the winning goal in the Championship Final, where she was named MVP.
Her form continued into 2025 despite an injury-interrupted campaign. Banda scored eight goals in 16 regular-season appearances and also recorded the first hat-trick in Orlando Pride history as the club reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
The Zambia captain has taken her performances to another level in 2026, scoring a club-record 16 goals across all competitions. That tally surpassed the previous single-season record of 13, set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda during Orlando’s 2024 championship-winning campaign.
Overall, Banda has scored 41 goals and provided 11 assists in 62 appearances for Orlando Pride across all competitions, underlining her importance to the club since her arrival.
“Barbra is a transformational player whose impact extends far beyond the goals she scores on the field,” said Orlando Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf. “She represents the ambition, excellence and winning culture we’ve built and want to sustain long-term.”
Banda also expressed her happiness at extending her stay with the club, saying: “I am very happy to continue my journey with Pride. Orlando has become a special place for me, and I am excited to keep fighting for this club and win more trophies together.”
The new contract comes during a remarkable period for Banda on the international stage as well. At the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Zambia captain scored five goals and provided one assist in three matches.
She made tournament history during Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt, becoming the first player to be directly involved in six goals in a single WAFCON match after scoring four goals, providing an assist and winning a penalty. Her four-goal performance also placed her among the select group of players to score four times in a single WAFCON match.
Banda’s performances have earned her considerable individual recognition. She was named 2024 NWSL Championship MVP and selected to the NWSL Best XI First Team. She also became the first African player to win the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
She has been selected in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in both 2024 and 2025 and has received three consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin nominations.
Before moving to the United States, Banda spent four seasons with Shanghai Shengli, scoring 41 goals in 52 appearances. She won the Chinese Women’s Super League Golden Boot in 2020 after scoring 18 goals.
Her new deal keeps Banda in Orlando through 2029, extending a partnership that has already produced domestic silverware, individual records and a growing list of personal achievements.
For Orlando Pride, the extension secures the services of a forward who has consistently produced goals since arriving in the NWSL, while for Banda, it provides continuity as she continues her career at the highest level of women’s football.
