Sports

Ridiculous’ to criticise Barbra Banda for BBC award, Emma Hayes insists

Published

4 days ago

November 29, 2024

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Emma Hayes has criticised the “ridiculous” treatment of Barbra Banda, after the Orlando Pride and Zambia forward was named the BBC women’s footballer of the year.
The head coach of the US women’s national team was responding to a question about the wave of online abuse Banda has faced since her award win. The 24-year-old scored four goals at the Olympics this summer and 13 for Orlando in the 2024 season to be named the NWSL’s most valuable player (MVP).
Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes: contrasting figures united by common empathy | Emma John
The BBC was criticised for giving the award to Banda, who topped a public vote, after reports that she had failed gender eligibility tests, prompting her withdrawal from the 2018 and 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her agent, club and the Confederation of African Football have said she did not take a gender eligibility test and was withdrawn by the Football Association of Zambia.
“Barbra Banda is an amazing football player,” said Hayes, speaking before the USA play England at Wembley on Saturday. “It is ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, to be quite honest with you. She has our support. She’s someone who’s done a tremendous amount, not just for her club but for her country, and what a brilliant season she’s had. We should be talking about that, the impact she’s had on the NWSL. We saw it first-hand in the Olympics – wow, the way she stretches the line, her ability.”
The Harry Potter author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, vocal critics of transgender and DSD (differences in sexual development) athletes in women’s sport, have led the criticism of Banda winning the award.
Emma Hayes was full of praise for Barbra Banda’s achievements for her club and country.
Hayes said: “I speak so highly of her because, in the women’s game, we talk about all the top players that come from more traditional nations and I think it’s great that we see such quality coming out of Africa. I know my assistant coach [Lisa Cole, an adviser to the Zambia women’s national team] coached her at Zambia and talked about what an amazing person she is, so she has our full support. And quite frankly, I’m disappointed when I hear a lot of these things being said.”
The retired USA forward Megan Rapinoe added to the chorus of support for Banda, posting on social media: “You’ve thrilled, entertained and inspired us, and the world, all year long. This is so deserved as is every bit of your success. You stand so much taller than the tiny people trying to tear you down.”
| Guardian UK |
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Sports

Wada unveils CHAN provisional squad

Published

6 hours ago

December 3, 2024

an24afri

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Coach Wedson Nyirenda has named his 33-man provisional squad for this month’s 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) final round back-to-back qualifier matches against Mozambique.
Nyirenda’s assemblage comprises players in the MTN Super League and ZPL National League. It includes defender Kabaso Chongo and Dominic Chanda, and goalkeepers Lawrence Mulenga, and Charles Kalumba who were part of the Chipolopolo that secured the AFCON qualification as group winners.
Zambia will be away to Mozambique on the 21 December before hosting the Mambas in the reverse fixture on 28 December. Winner over two legs will qualify for the CHAN tournament which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1-28, 2025.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Jackson Kakunta (Mines United), Lucas Mainza (Nkwazi FC), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
DEFENDERS
Mwape Mwenya (ZANACO FC), Rodgers Lukonde (Kansanshi Dynamos), David Hamansenya (Shamuel Academy), David Bulaya (NAPSA Stars), Kabaso Chongo, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Chilimba Moonga (Green Buffaloes)
MIDFIELDERS
Kelvin Kapumbu (ZANACO FC), Paul Katema, Ackim Mumba (both Red Arrows), Collins Makungu (Mufulira Wanderers), Lucky Wamundila (Mines United), Kelvin Mwanza (FC MUZA), Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi FC), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Jackson Kampamba (Mutondo Stars), Timothy Sichalwe (Atletico Lusaka), Abraham Siankombo (ZESCO United), Emmanuel Mwanza (NAPSA Stars)
STRIKERS
Titus Chansa (Mutondo Stars), Jimmy Mukeya (NAPSA Stars), Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Daliso Lungu (Kansanshi Dynamos), Philemon Chilimina (Chirundu United).
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Sports

Women’s football has so much unrealized potential – Col Katoba

Published

8 hours ago

December 3, 2024

an24afri

5 Views

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Women’s National Representative, Colonel Priscilla Katoba says the amount of potential that Women’s Football in Zambia has to represent the country at the global stage is very huge. Col Katoba believes we have only scratched the surface when it comes to Women’s Football. She was speaking in an exclusive interview […]

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Sports

Barbra Banda in running for FIFPRO World XI

Published

10 hours ago

December 3, 2024

an24afri

7 Views

Copper Queens skipper Barbra Banda made the 26 player list in the running to be named in the 2024 FIFPRO Women’s Best XI.
This Banda’s first ever nomination for the FIFPRO World eleven following her fantastic season with Orlando Pride in the USA’s top flight.
Banda won both the NWSL shield and the NWSL Championship in a record breaking season for Seb Hines side.
Banda scored 17 goals and made 7 assists in the all Competitions for the Pride and was named the NWSL Championship MVP after becoming the first player to score in all stages of the NWSL playoffs.
Banda was also recently named the BBC Women’s player of the year and is nominated for the CAF Women’s player of the year and FIFA Best Women’s player of the year.
Malawian captain Tabitha Chawinga has also made 26 while her sister Temwa who was amazing for KC Current in the NWSL misses out.
The nominees were voted for by fellow professional football players.
GOALKEEPERS
🇦🇺 Mackenzie Arnold
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Mary Earps
🇨🇱 Christiane Endler
DEFENDERS
🇫🇷 Selma Bacha
🇪🇸 Ona Batlle
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Millie Bright
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Lucy Bronze
🇪🇸 Olga Carmona
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jess Carter
🇺🇸 Naomi Girma
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Alex Greenwood
MIDFIELDERS
🇪🇸 Aitana Bonmati
🇧🇷 Debinha
🇳🇴 Ingrid Engen
🇺🇸 Lindsey Horan
🇪🇸 Alexia Putellas
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ella Toone
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Keira Walsh
FORWARDS
🇪🇸 Athenea
🇿🇲 Barbra Banda
🇨🇴 Linda Caicedo
🇲🇼 Tabitha Chawinga
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Lauren James
🇧🇷 Marta
🇪🇸 Salma Paralluelo
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Alessia Russo
The final team will be announced on December 9, 2024.
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