Zambia’s international Barbra Banda scores first hat-trick in Orlando Pride’s US women’s league history

* The African Women Player of Year 2024 is a fierce competitor with Malawian Temwa TC11 Chawinga in the US women’s football space

* Temwa extended her scoring spree to three consecutive NWSL matches when she scored for Kansas City Current on May 25

Maravi Express

Zambia’s international Barbra Banda — the African Women Player of Year 2024 — scored the first hat-trick in Orlando Pride’s US National Women Soccer League (NWSL) history made history in a 3–1 win over Utah Royals FC at America First Field.

NWSL reports on its website that Barbra — who is a fierce competitor with Malawian Temwa TC11 Chawinga in the US women’s football space — scored all three in the first half within 38 minutes from the first whistle — making her the fastest player in league history to complete a hat trick from the opening minute (6th, 37th, and 38th).

“Her performance also helped Orlando overcome a three game winless streak,” says the report, adding that the Zambian international put up “a masterclass in finishing with help from teammates Ally Watt and Haley McCutcheon”.

“In the process, Banda became the first African international to record a hat-trick in the NWSL and brought her season tally to seven goals — tied for the league lead in the Golden Boot race, with the tiebreaker in her favour thanks to an assist.

“She now has 24 goals across all competitions for Orlando, surpassing Alex Morgan for second-most in club history.”

Meanwhile, her competitor, Temwa TC11 Chawinga scored for Kansas City Current on May 25 — extending her scoring spree to three consecutive NWSL matches.

A report by panafricafootball.com says she was on target for Current as they eased to a 3-1 win over 4th-placed Chicago Stars FC at SeatGeek Stadium to lead the log table.

The Currents were in the driving seat right from the first half after striker Bia Zaneratto scored in the 34th minute and seven minutes later, scorer-turned-provider as Zaneratto provided a chipped assist to strike partner Temwa for the visitors to lead comfortably in the opening half.

The Malawian scored her 26th career regular-season goal, a week after becoming the quickest player in the NWSL’s history to reach 25 goals.

In the second half, Stars proved they would not go down without a fight. They reduced the deficit with Shea Groom’s goal in the 51st minute.

However, Chawinga and company sought to restore their two-goal cushion instantly, with defender Kayla Sharples showing her versatility to power a header into the net for the third goal.