Zambian footballer Barbra Banda has been nominated for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, despite being involved in a gender eligibility controversy.
She is one of five nominees this year, competing against Naomi Girma, Caroline Graham Hansen, Sophia Smith, and Aitana Bonmati, the current Ballon d’Or winner.
Banda, who made headlines last year when she joined Orlando Pride for £581,000, is also the captain of the Zambian national team.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she scored four goals, including a hat-trick against Australia, making her the highest-scoring African player in Olympic history with a total of 10 goals.
Her inclusion in the Zambian team for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 was controversial.
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Banda was removed from the squad just a day before the tournament after her testosterone levels were deemed too high. Despite taking medication to lower her testosterone, she did not meet the eligibility criteria set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In a recent BBC interview, Banda expressed her disappointment about missing the tournament, calling it “very difficult.” Most recently, she participated in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games and last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Banda’s nomination has drawn mixed reactions online, with some critics labeling it a “disgrace” due to the ongoing gender eligibility issue. However, Banda has described her nomination as a “big privilege and honour,” recognizing the talent of her fellow nominees.
The winner of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award will be announced on November 26, with the public voting open until October 28.
