…as top three cheer Captain Barbra Barbra
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
COPPER QUEENS captain Barbra Banda says she is honoured to make the top shortlist for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award.
Meanwhile, the Copper Queens who had made the top 10 are missing on the top three best women’s teams in Africa despite having hard an exciting 2023 football season.
Banda, who was impressive for both her club and country which she helped to qualify for a third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations will compete with Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala and South African Captain Thembi Kgatlana for the prestigious award.
In an interview, Banda said making the top three was not a small achievement for her as a female footballer.
Banda hailed her teammates for making it easy for her to make positive contributions to the Copper Queens squad to be recognised among the top three best female footballers on the continent.
“It feels great. I want to say thank you to the people that voted for me to reach the top three. A nomination is a plus for me, because it’s not easy to be among the best players,” Banda said.
“Making the shortlist for the top three 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year Award is such an honour. I am humbled.
This is no mean achievement looking at the list of great nominees that were shortlisted for the award. I’m grateful to God for the talent he gave me,” she said.
Asked about what advice she would give to young players who see her as an inspiration, Banda said; “My advice to young girls out there, is that they should keep working hard and remain determined and disciplined. It’s not easy but with hard work and consistent efforts, anything is possible.”
Meanwhile, the Copper Queens have missed out on the National team of the Year award Top Three shortlist.
According to the shortlist released by CAF, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa, who all participated at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and qualified for the knockout stages have made it into the top three.
In the men’s category, Egyptian star forward Mohammed Salah faces stiff competition from Moroccan right back Achraf Hakimi and Nigerian goal scoring machine Victor Osimhen.
The 2023 CAF Awards will take place at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, December 11, 2023.
