The Orlando Pride signed forward Barbra Banda to a new contract through the 2029 season, the club announced Sept. 14, 2026. Banda joined Orlando in March 2024 and has helped the club win the 2024 NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. She has recorded 41 goals and 11 assists in 62 appearances across all competitions during her three seasons with the Pride.
Banda scored a club-record 16 goals and added three assists across all competitions in 2026. Her total surpassed the previous Orlando Pride single-season record of 13 goals, set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda in 2024. Banda led the Pride with eight goals in 16 regular-season appearances in 2025 despite missing time through injury and recorded the first hat trick in club history.
Banda Delivered Championship Impact in 2024
Banda finished her 2024 NWSL debut season with 13 regular-season goals and six assists. She added four postseason goals and scored the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship Final. Her performance earned NWSL Championship MVP honors and a place on the 2024 NWSL Best XI First Team.
“Barbra is a transformational player whose impact extends far beyond the goals she scores on the field,” said Mark Wilf, Orlando Pride Owner & Chairman. “Barbra is a cornerstone of everything we are building at the Pride,” said Caitlin Carducci, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations & General Manager.
“I am very happy to continue my journey with Pride,” Banda said. “I want to thank my teammates, coaches, staff and the fans for believing in me and supporting me every day. Orlando has become a special place for me, and I am excited to keep fighting for this club and win more trophies together.”
Banda Continues International and Individual Honors
Banda captained Zambia at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and finished as the team’s leading scorer with five goals and one assist in three matches. She scored four goals, provided an assist and won a penalty in Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt. Banda also was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2024, becoming the first African player to receive the honor.
Banda was selected to the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in 2024 and 2025 and received her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin nomination. Before joining the Orlando Pride, she played four seasons for Shanghai Shengli and scored 41 goals in 52 appearances. She won the CWSL Golden Boot in 2020 after scoring 18 goals and recorded 16 goals and five assists for Shanghai Shengli in 2023.
Source: Original report