The International Federation of Footbal History and Statistics (IFFHS) have shortlisted 38-player for their Women’s World Best Player 2021 award.
The list which was released on Wednesday afternoon has two African representatives, Asisat Oshoala and Barbara Banda among the contenders to dethrone Pernille Harder who was last crowned in 2020.
Brabar Banda plays as a forward for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli and represents Zambia senior women’s national team. The 21-year-old captained her side to their first ever Olympic games in Tokyo.
Her move to Chinese Super League was for a reported fee of up to $300,000, making Banda the third most expensive female player of all time.
In Zambia’s first match against the Netherlands, she scored three times in a heavy 10-3 loss. In their next match, a 4-4 draw with China, Banda repeated the feat and, at the same time, wrote her name into the record books: The first female player ever to managed two hattricks at an Olympic Games. And her six tournament goals also equalled a record.
Barbra Banda is now tied for the most goals scored by an African player at an Olympics. Male or female.
Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia, 1988) and Kwame Ayew (Ghana, 1992) also scored six goals.
Asisat Oshoala plays as a striker for both Spanish side FC Barcelona Femení in the Primera División and captains the Nigerian national team.
The Nigerian has shone on the club in the 2020-21 season, winning the quadruple with Barca and On 16 May 2021, she became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League, after Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4–0 in the finals.
The four-time African Women’s Footballer of The Year, despite an injury close to the end of the season, made nine appearances and scored four goals in the UCL to help the Catalans win the title for the first time in the club’s history.
The Super Falcons captain is currently Barcelona Femeni’s eighth Most Valuable Player, according to reputable Spanish football statistics website, soccerdonna.de. The website valued the Nigerian at €175,000 with a year left on her Barca contract.
Full list of nominees for the 2021 IFFHS award:
• Samantha Mewis (USA – Man City / NCC Courage)
• Samantha Kerr (Austrália – Chelsea FC)
• Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands – Arsenal FC)
• Pernille Harder (Denmark – Chelsea FC)
• Lucie Bronze (England – Manchester City FC)
• Jenifer Marozsan (Germany – Olympique Lyon / Reign of OL)
• Julie Ertz (USA – Chicago RS)
• Caroline Hansen Graham (Norway – FC Barcelona)
• Debinha (Brazil – NCC Courage)
• Wendie Renard (France – Olympique Lyon)
• Saki Kumagai (Japan – Olympique Lyon / FC Bayern Munich)
• Rose Lavelle (USA – Man City / Reign OL)
• Jennifer Hermoso (Spain – FC Barcelona)
• Ji So Yun (South Korea – Chelsea FC)
• Alexia Putellas (Spain – FC Barcelona)
• Christiane Endler (Chile – Paris SG / Olympique Lyon)
• Amel Majri (France – Olympique Lyon)
• Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada – Olympique Lyon)
• Ashley Lawrence (Canada – PSG)
• Marta (Brazil – Orlando Pride)
• Tobin Heath (USA – Arsenal FC)
• Marie Antoinette Katoto (France – PSG)
• Lea Schueller (Germany – FCBayern Munich)
• Kosovare Aslani (Sweden – Real Madrid CF)
• Fran Kirby (England – Chelsea FC)
• Lieke Martens (Netherlands – FC Barcelona)
• Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria – FC Barcelona)
• Barbara Banda (Zambia – Shanghai)
• Gabi Nunes (Brazil – Corinthians/CF Madrid)
• Catalina Usme (Colombia – America Cali)
• Megan Rapinoe (USA / Reign OL)
• Ewa Pajor (Poland – VFL Wolfsburg)
• Valentina Giacinti (Italy – AC Milan)
• Katty Martinez (Mexico – Tigres UANL)
• Alison Gonzales (Mexico – Atlas)
• Alicia Cervantes (Mexico – CD Guadalajara)
• Stina Blackstenius (Sweden – Hedges)
• Carli Lloyd (USA – Gotham FC)
At the end of November 2021, the IFFHS will celebrate the winners of the 2021 AWARDS in all Categories.
MOLATsportgist 