Barbra Banda named in WAFCON 2026 Team of Tournament after Zambia exit

Barbra Banda scored five goals and supplied one assist for Zambia at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026. Her individual campaign earned the captain a place in the official Team of the Tournament despite Zambia’s failure to advance from the group stage.

The 26-year-old forward was selected by the CAF Technical Study Group in a 4-3-3 formation. She is the only Zambian player included in the 11-member lineup, which draws players from five countries.

Banda was Zambia’s main attacking threat during their group matches. Her five goals placed her among the tournament’s leading performers and secured recognition even as the Copper Queens’ campaign ended before the knockout rounds.

Cameroon supplied four players to the selection, the largest representation. Morocco, Algeria and Malawi each have two players in the team, with Banda completing the lineup’s representation from Zambia.

Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga finished as the tournament’s leading scorer after also recording five goals, while her two assists helped earn her a midfield place in the Best XI. Cameroon’s Monique Ngock was chosen as Player of the Tournament.

Cameroon also collected the other major individual honours. Michaely Bihina was named Best Goalkeeper, Myriam Nyadjou won Best Young Player and Valentine Nguele received the Coach of the Tournament award.