Zambia captain Barbra Banda has signed a new contract with Orlando Pride that will keep her at the NWSL club through the 2029 season.
The 26-year-old forward has established herself as one of the most prolific strikers in the league since joining Orlando in March 2024.
Banda made an immediate impact in her debut season, helping the Pride win the NWSL Shield and Championship double. She scored 13 regular-season goals and added four in the playoffs, including the winning goal in the Championship Final, where she was named MVP.
Her form continued in 2025, when she scored eight goals in 16 regular-season appearances despite an injury-interrupted campaign. She also scored the first hat-trick in Orlando’s history as the Pride reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Banda has taken her game to another level in 2026, scoring a club-record 16 goals across all competitions. The tally has surpassed the previous single-season record of 13, set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda during Orlando’s 2024 championship-winning campaign.
She has scored 41 goals and provided 11 assists in 62 appearances for the Pride across all competitions.
“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 said she was delighted to extend her stay with the club.
“I am very happy to continue my journey with Pride,” she said. “Orlando has become a special place for me, and I am excited to keep fighting for this club and win more trophies together.”
The Zambia captain has also enjoyed a remarkable year on the international stage.
At the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Banda scored five goals and provided one assist in three matches. She made tournament history in Zambia’s 6-0 win over Egypt, becoming the first player to be directly involved in six goals in a single WAFCON match after scoring four, providing an assist and winning a penalty.
Her four-goal haul also saw her join an elite group of players to score four times in a single WAFCON match.
Banda’s performances have earned her global recognition. She was named 2024 NWSL Championship MVP and to the NWSL Best XI First Team, while becoming the first African player to win the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
She has also been selected in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in 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 latest contract extension ensures one of the most influential players in women’s football will remain at Orlando as the Pride continue their pursuit of more silverware.
