Kenyan strikers have been urged to emulate Zambia's Olympics history breaking red-hot forward Barbra Banda, according to coach Alex Alumira.
The 21-year-old is in imperious form and delivered a classy performance by scoring two hat-tricks in as many matches in the on-going Tokyo Games despite the Copper Queens picking a mere point.
Banda, who plays for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shengli, is in contention for the 'Golden Boot' Award should she maintain her scoring streak. Before ditching Spain's Longrono for China, she had scored 16 goals in 28 matches.
Alumira, who coaches women Premier League side, Vihiga Queens said Banda- an accomplished, natural striker and a modern day centre forward can fit in any team in the world because of her qualities.
"She is the kind of player who Kenyan players have to look up to. She has everything including skill, pace, power, technique and can score barely from nothing," Alumira noted.
Banda is a beast inside the box and dangerous in long-range strikes. Her link up play with teammates brings out her best attributes.
"She can tackle; she is good in the air and tactically she's a team player and any manager's dream striker. She has the world at her feet.
"Scoring a hat-trick against the Netherlands—a team that reached the World Cup final—is no mean feat.
"One thing I have learnt from the matches at the Olympics is that they are all about technic and tactical organisation."
The Copper Queens are in Group F alongside Brazil, China and the Netherlands. A hefty 10-3 loss to the Netherlands would be dampening but it's those three goals from Banda that marked a huge landmark moment for the Zambians who are debuting at the prestigious show.
Banda is the first woman to score her country's first ever Olympic goal.
Her hat-trick against the Dutch also made her the first African woman in history to score three goals at an Olympic women's football tournament.
Banda netted three of her side's four goals against China, once again writing her name in the history books on Sunday.
Zambia will be looking up to Banda to put in a world class performance in their bid to upset two-time Olympic silver medalists Brazil on Tuesday in a must-win match.
