Tokyo: The Zambia women’s football may have grabbed just a point from two games so far in their debut in their Olympics in Tokyo, but it’s captain Barbra Banda who is making the headlines all through the universe.
After becoming the first African woman to score an Olympics hat-trick in their opener against the Netherlands, the 21-year-old professional boxer netted another in Zambia’s 4-4 draw against China on Saturday to become the first woman to score multiple hat-tricks in the same edition of an Olympics. She also equalled the record for most goals scored in a single Olympics tournament.
Barbra Banda's #Tokyo2020 so far:
Wednesday: ⚽⚽⚽
Saturday: ⚽⚽⚽It's her world, and we're all just living in it. #StrongerTogether | #ZAM | @FIFAWWC @FAZFootball pic.twitter.com/il479QYnfZ
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 24, 2021
“It’s good to make history when you have the opportunity so I just have to keep on working hard and breaking more history,” added Banda in her post-match briefing. “I still have a long way to go. I just have to be disciplined because I am aiming to become the best footballer in the world,” she further added.
Having, drawn in Group F against Brazil, China and the Netherlands, Zambia were already the underdogs. Despite a 10-3 drubbing at the hands of the Dutchwomen, Banda became Zambia’s first-ever Olympic goal scorer.
Banda is currently level with Dutch star Vivianne Miedema on top of the goalscoring charts with six strikes. She credited the feat to her team. “I’m very proud of myself and the team, because without them I can’t score. I just want to say thank you to my teammates for the help that they are giving me.”
