Zambia women’s national team striker and captain Barbara Banda says she will be aiming to improve her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics Games after her record-breaking outing in Tokyo four years ago.
The 24-year old star who plays for Orlando Pride in the USA, inspired the Copper Queens to a second straight qualification for the Summer Games after knocking out favourites Morocco.
Banda took the world by storm at the Games held in Tokyo back in 2020 as she became the first player in Olympic history to score back-to-back hat tricks and the first to total two hat tricks over one tournament after scoring three against both the Netherlands and China.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday Florida, Banda said she was relishing her return to the Olympics set to kick-off later this month.
“It means a lot representing my country, it will be my second time and I hope I will do better than I did last time” Banda said.
“I am working so hard and trying to improve in each area where I am lacking.”
Banda who joined Orlando Pride from Chinese club side Shanghai Shengli this year in March, has seen her career in the US get off to a flying start after scoring 11 goals in as many appearances for the club.
She hopes to extend her fine form with Orlando at the Olympics having improved greatly since making her move to the NWSL club.
“After coming to Orlando, I think I’ve improved in so many areas that I’m going to try and implement at the national team squad” she said.
Meanwhile, Banda has described the Olympics women’s football tournament as competitive featuring the world’s best teams international level.
“I think I learnt a lot [at the last Olympic Games] because it’s very competitive I know the teams are playing high level football” she said.
Zambia have been drawn in Group B and will face heavyweights and competition favourites USA, Australia and Germany at the Olympics.
The Copper Queens captain noted that her side will be facing stiff competition in Group B and will have to be resilient to face the challenge.
“Honestly, we are in a tough group but for me I believe that it you want to be the best you have to beat the best. For us to reach this stage, we did really well so we just have take preparations seriously and prepare adequately for the teams” she added.
The Copper Queens open their group stage campaign at the Olympics on July 25th against the USA in Nice, France.
