Barbra Banda celebrates first hat-trick for Orlando Pride in vital NWSL victory

Photo Credit - Orlando Pride.

Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda has celebrated her latest achievement after she scored the first-ever hat-trick in Orlando Pride’s history in the 3-1 away win over Utah Royals FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) on Saturday.

During the fixture at America First Field, Banda opened the scoring with only six minutes played before she added the second and third in the 37th and 38th minutes respectively. Brecken Mozingo had levelled matters for Utah Royals in the 14th minute but it was not enough to stop Banda from claiming the match ball.

“Happy to have to have done my little part in helping my team to return to winning ways,” Banda wrote on her social media accounts. “My first hat-trick in the NWSL feels surreal ... Oh and am told we made some history with that, first ever for the club in the NWSL.

“We keep pushing. We are going back home with three points.”

Banda’s goals came courtesy of an Ally Watt assist for the opener, a stunning solo run for the second, and a composed finish off a Haley McCutcheon assist for the third. With seven goals and one assist in 10 games, the reigning CAF Women’s African Footballer of the Year now sits level with Gotham FC’s Esther González in the Golden Boot race.

Compatriot Prisca Chilufya was an unused substitute while Grace Chanda was not included in the matchday squad. Banda’s display will be great news for Zambia as they prepare for friendly matches in South Africa against Banyana Banyana and Botswana.