Copper Queens midfielder Grace Chanda has taken another significant step in her globetrotting career after completing a move to Mexican side Gallos Femenil, joining from Orlando Pride of the United States’ NWSL.
The transfer marks yet another chapter in Chanda’s remarkable rise from Zambia’s domestic leagues to some of the most competitive women’s football environments in the world, underlining her status as one of the country’s most accomplished female football exports.
Personal Information
Full Name: Grace Chanda
Date of Birth: 11 June 1997
Nationality: Zambian
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Current Club: Gallos Femenil (Mexico)
National Team: Zambia (Copper Queens)
Grace Chanda’s journey began at ZESCO Ndola Girls, where she produced one of the most astonishing goal-scoring seasons in Zambian football history. In 2018, she netted 86 goals in just 26 matches, a feat that firmly established her as a generational talent.
Her blend of technical quality, vision, and ruthless finishing made her stand out not only as a goal scorer, but as a complete attacking midfielder capable of dictating games.
Red Arrows Women (2021): Dominance at Home
With the formation of the FAZ Women’s Super Division, Chanda joined Red Arrows Women in 2021 and immediately set the benchmark. She scored 35 goals to win the inaugural Golden Boot and was crowned FAZ Women’s Player of the Year.
Beyond individual accolades, her presence elevated the profile of women’s football in Zambia, as Red Arrows finished second in the league under her influence.
BIIK Kazygurt (2022): Making History in Europe
Chanda’s domestic dominance earned her a move to Europe with BIIK Kazygurt in Kazakhstan. In a landmark moment, she scored a UEFA Women’s Champions League hat-trick on her debut, becoming the first Zambian woman to achieve the feat.
The performance resonated far beyond Kazakhstan, symbolising a breakthrough for Zambian women’s football on the continental stage.
Madrid CFF (2022–2024): Competing Among Europe’s Elite
In September 2022, Chanda joined Madrid CFF in Spain’s Liga F. She adapted quickly, delivering goals and assists in key fixtures, including standout performances against Atlético Madrid and Real Betis.
Although illness disrupted her momentum following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she returned strongly in the latter stages of the 2023/24 season, helping Madrid CFF secure a top-five league finish, equalling the club’s best-ever placement.
Orlando Pride (2024): A Short Stay in the NWSL
In May 2024, Chanda signed with Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League, joining on a deal running through 2025 with an option for 2026. The move represented a major milestone, placing her in one of the most competitive women’s leagues globally.
However, her time in the United States proved brief, as opportunities for regular minutes were limited.
Gallos Femenil (2026– ): A New Challenge in Mexico
Now, Grace Chanda embarks on a fresh challenge in Mexico, signing for Gallos Femenil. The move offers her a platform well suited to her technical style, intelligence between the lines, and experience gained across Africa, Europe, and North America.
For Zambian fans, the transfer is another point of pride — further evidence that Copper Queens players can compete and adapt across diverse football cultures.
A Flag Bearer for Zambian Football
From Ndola to Kazakhstan, Spain, the United States, and now Mexico, Grace Chanda’s career reflects resilience, ambition, and consistent excellence. As she continues to shine abroad, she remains a vital figure for the Copper Queens, carrying Zambia’s football identity onto the global stage.
