My desire is to be the best footballer in the world -Banda
Zambia international Barbra Banda who has become the cynosure of eyes in the women football event of the ongoing Olympics in Tokyo, says she has a long way to go and desires to be the best in the world.
The 21 year old who netted double hat-trick in Copper Queens’two group matches added that she simply needs to remain disciplined to achieve her aim but admitted that the records she has made are worth celebrating all the same.
“I am very proud of myself and the team because without them I can’t score so I just want to say thank you to my teammates for they help that they are giving me,”
“It’s good to make history when you have the opportunity so I just have to keep on working hard and break more history.
“I still have a long way to go, I just have to be disciplined because I am aiming to become the best footballer in the world.” enthused the former Logrono of Spain star.
Banda emerged the first Zambian and African to score a hat trick at the Games following a treble in her side’s 10-3 humiliation against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Banda and the Copper Queens will need a miracle against Brazil Tuesday
The Shanghai Shengli striker replicated same effort against China moments after BIIK Kazygurt striker Rachael Kundananji inspired their comeback but they were lately forced to a 4-4 draw on Saturday
Having taken her tally to six, she became all-time African Top Scorer at the Olympics in the women’s event, leapfrogging Nigeria’s Mercy Akide-Udoh with four goals (two goals each in 2000 and 2004) and also equalled the most goals scored in a single event a record set by Canada striker Christine Sinclair in 2012.
read alsoCopper Queens bounce back as Banda grabs another hat-trick
The former Green Buffaloes star also equalled the most goals record scored by an African, including the men, leveling up with compatriot Kalusha Bwalya and Ghana’s Kwame Ayew who both scored six in 1988 and 1992 respectively.
With just a point in the kitty, Banda and her teammates will need a miracle to overcome Brazil to the point of booking a place in the knock out stage. Netherlands top the group with four points and Brazil in the second position with four points as well with China and Zambia with a point each.