WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Women's World Cup 2023

Barbra Banda to play in Women's World Cup despite gender doubts

The Zambian national team player missed out on the Africa Cup of Nations

Barbra Banda with Zambia
Barbra Banda with Zambia
ES

Zambia's international women's team continues to be in the spotlight.

If the allegations of sexual abuse against their coach, Bruce Mwape, have become known in recent days, now, after Zambia's match against the German national team on Friday, Bild has once again raised doubts about the gender of their captain, Barbra Banda.

The teams' last friendly match before the World Cup left a surprise. Zambia beat Germany 3-2 with a brace from Banda.

Her brilliant performance has made her the talk of the town, but not for sporting reasons.

Throughout her career, the footballer has had to deal with the question of her gender.

Barbra en el encuentro entre Zambia y Alemania
Barbra en el encuentro entre Zambia y AlemaniaANNA SZILAGYIEFE

Barbra will be at the World Cup

This will not prevent Banda from playing in the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which starts in 10 days and in which Zambia will be Spain's second opponents.

According to Bild, FIFA does not subject players to a gender test, but the national federation itself is required to carry out such procedures.

Thus, the Zambian star will be able to prove herself to the world, although she did not have the same opportunity at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where she was not allowed to play for "medical reasons", according to the Zambian Football Federation.

In the tests, Banda exceeded the normal testosterone levels for women, so she was not allowed to play.

She also participated in the Tokyo Olympics, where she was the second top scorer of the tournament.

Her past in Spain

The 23-year-old, whose passion for football began at a young age, has had a career with close ties to Spain.

After her time in Zambia, Barbra came to Spain, to EDF Logrono.

After 15 months, she moved to China to play for Shanghai Shengli FC, where she continues to play today.

But that almost changed in 2022, as she was on course to sign for Real Madrid last summer.

All that was missing was the signature on the contract.

She was to become the new Real Madrid star, but at the medical her testosterone level once again compromised her professional ambitions and the club doubted whether she was a woman, removing her from their plans and forcing her to return to China.

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