Grace Chanda

Last updated

Grace Chanda
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 27) [1]
Place of birth Zambia
Height 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Orlando Pride
Number 23
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2015–2020 ZESCO United 26+ (86+)
2021 Red Arrows ? (35)
2022 BIIK Kazygurt ? (?)
2022–2024 Madrid CFF 28 (4)
2024– Orlando Pride 0 (0)
International career
2014 Zambia U17 3 (1)
2018– Zambia 31 (19)
Medal record
Representing Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Bronze medal icon.svg 2022 Morocco
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 June 2023

Grace Chanda (born 11 June 1997) is a Zambian professional football midfielder who plays for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Zambia national team.

Contents

Chanda previously played in her native Zambia with ZESCO United and the Red Arrows, as well as in Kazakhstan with BIIK Kazygurt and in Spain for Madrid CFF. She was one of three players shortlisted for African Women's Footballer of the Year in 2022.

Club career

Early years

In 2018, Chanda scored 86 goals in 26 games for ZESCO United. [2]

Ahead of the newly created FAZ Women's Super Division national championship in 2021, Chanda signed for Red Arrows. [3] Red Arrows finished second behind Green Buffaloes but individually Chanda won the golden boot for the 2021 season, scoring 35 goals in total, and was named FAZ Women's Player of the Year. [4]

BIIK Kazygurt, 2022

In March 2022, Chanda signed with BIIK Kazygurt of the Kazakhstani Championship. [5] On August 18, 2022, she scored a hat-trick on her UEFA Women's Champions League debut in a 5–1 victory over ŽNK Split during the 2022–23 UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying stage. [2] She was the first Zambian women's footballer to do so. [2]

Madrid CFF, 2022–2024

On September 3, 2022, Chanda signed with Madrid CFF in Spain's top division Liga F on a two-year contract. [6] She made her debut on September 24 during a 3–1 win against FC Levante Las Planas. [7] In October, she scored a goal and provided an assist to help lift Madrid to a 4–0 win over Real Betis. [8] [9] During the team's match against Atlético Madrid, she scored the equalizer goal after subbing in at the half resulting in a 1–1 draw. [9] She finished the 2022–23 season with three goals and two assists. [10] Madrid finished in fifth place. [11] Chanda spent the majority of the 2023–24 season sidelined having been taken ill at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023. She remained in hospital in New Zealand throughout August, eventually returning to light training with Madrid in September although did not return to playing until May 2024. [12]

Orlando Pride, 2024–

On May 30, 2024, Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League announced the signing of Chanda as a free agent until 2025 with an option for 2026. She was scheduled to join the club following the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics. [13] However, she was placed on the Season Ending Injury list in August after suffering a ruptured quadriceps tendon in her right leg while on international duty. [14] Orlando filed a grievance with FIFA against the Football Association of Zambia for "failing to provide a reasonable standard of care for player health and safety" after Chanda was asked to continue training and playing during Zambia's opening match of the Olympics while injured. [15]

International career

Chanda represented Zambia at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations and 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations. [1] [16]

Chanda was the top goalscorer with eight goals at the 2020 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Olympic-qualifying tournament for Africa [17] and helped Zambia qualify for their first Olympics. [18]

Chanda was one of three players shortlisted for African Women's Footballer of the Year in 2022. [19]

On the eve of Zambia's FIFA Women's World Cup debut in July 2023, Chanda was ruled out of the tournament with illness. [20]

Personal life

Chanda notes American striker Alex Morgan as a football idol. [18]

Career statistics

International goals

Scores and results list Zambia's goal tally first

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1
18 November 2018 Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Cape Coast, Ghana Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea
1–0
5–0
2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations
2
28 August 2019 Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe
2–0
5–0 2020 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
3
3–0
4
4–0
5
8 October 2019 Francistown Stadium, Francistown, Botswana Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana
1–0
2–0
6
2–0
7
8 November 2019 Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Kenya Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
1–0
2–2
8
5 March 2020 Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon
1–0
2–3
9
2–2
10
3 October 2021 Gelvandale Stadium, Gqeberha, South AfricaFlag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 2–03–0 2021 COSAFA Women's Championship
11
5 October 2021 Wolfson Stadium, Ibhayi, South AfricaFlag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 1–01–0
12
7 October 2021Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 1–11–1 (2–3 p)
13
20 October 2021 Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 1–01–1 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification
14
18 June 2022 Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 1–11–1 Friendly
15
9 July 2022 Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat, Morocco Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo 1–04–1 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
16
4–1
17
15 February 2023Gold City Sports Complex, Alanya, Turkey Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 1–01–0Friendly
18
21 February 2023Miracle Sports Complex, Alanya, TurkeyFlag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 1–04–0 2023 Turkish Women's Cup
19
30 June 2023 Tissot Arena, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 1–13–3Friendly

Honours

BIIK Kazygurt

Zambia

Individual

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marta (footballer)</span> Brazilian footballer (born 1986)

Marta Vieira da Silva, known mononymously as Marta, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and formerly, the Brazil national team. Marta is widely regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time. She has been named FIFA World Player of the Year six times, five of them being consecutive and the latest award coming in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emily van Egmond</span> Australian soccer player (born 1993)

Emily Louise van Egmond is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Australia national team. She previously played for German side 1. FFC Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, Danish side Fortuna Hjørring in the Elitedivisionen, Chicago Red Stars and Orlando Pride in the NWSL, West Ham United in the FA Women's Super League, as well as Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City in Australia's W-League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zambia women's national football team</span> Association football team

The Zambia women's national association football team represents Zambia in association football, participating in qualifying tournaments for the FIFA Women's World Cup and other African-based competitions. It made its debut in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, becoming the first landlocked nation in Africa to qualify for a senior World Cup in either men's or women's soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Refiloe Jane</span> South African soccer player

Refiloe Jane is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder as captain for the South African women's national team. She is currently a free agent having most recently played for Italian Serie A club US Sassuolo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asisat Oshoala</span> Nigerian footballer (born 1994)

Asisat Lamina OshoalaMON is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Bay FC and the Nigeria women's national team. She is widely regarded as one of the best female players in women's football and her generation. She is one of the most celebrated African female footballers of all time, having won African Women's Footballer of the Year a record six times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osinachi Ohale</span> Nigerian footballer (born 1991)

Osinachi Marvis Ohale is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre back or right back for Liga MX Femenil club Pachuca and the Nigeria women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mônica (footballer, born 1987)</span> Brazilian footballer

Mônica Hickmann Alves, commonly known as Mônica, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Spanish Liga F club Madrid CFF and the Brazil national team. She participated in the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Evelyn Nwabuoku is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a midfielder for En Avant de Guingamp in the French Division 1 Féminine and the Nigeria women's national football team. She is the captain of the national side. Nwabuoku played previously for BIIK Kazygurt in the Kazakhstani women's football championship and for Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels in the Nigerian Women's Championship.

Jermaine "Jay" Seoposenwe is a South African soccer player who plays as a forward for Mexican Liga MX Femenil club Monterrey and the South Africa women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thembi Kgatlana</span> South African soccer player (born 1996)

Christina Thembi "Pikinini" Kgatlana is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Liga MX Femenil club Tigres UANL Femenil and the South Africa women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Achraf Hakimi</span> Moroccan footballer (born 1998)

Achraf Hakimi Mouh is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right winger for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Morocco national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world.

Misozi Chisha Rachael Zulu is a Zambian footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Turkish Women's Super League club Hakkarigücü Spor and the Zambia women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Racheal Kundananji</span> Zambian footballer (born 2000)

Racheal Kundananji is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for National Women's Soccer League club Bay FC and the Zambia national team.

Ireen Lungu is a Zambian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Jiangsu Wuxi and the Zambia women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbra Banda</span> Zambian footballer (born 2000)

Barbra Banda is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a striker for National Women's Soccer League club Orlando Pride and captains the Zambia national team.

Hellen Ng'andwe Chanda is a Zambian footballer who plays as a forward for Green Buffaloes FC and the Zambia women's national team. She competed at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations, playing in one match.

Prisca Chilufya is a Zambian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga MX Femenil side FC Juárez and the Zambia women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghizlane Chebbak</span> Moroccan footballer (born 1990)

Ghizlane Chebbak is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga F club Levante Badalona and the Morocco women's national team. She was named the player of the tournament in the 2022 Africa Women's Cup of Nations. She is the daughter of Larbi Chebbak, a player for the Morocco men's national team in the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Alozie</span> Nigerian footballer (born 1997)

Michelle Chinwendu Alozie is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for National Women's Soccer League club Houston Dash. Born in the United States, she represents Nigeria at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zineb Redouani</span> Moroccan footballer (born 2000)

Zineb Redouani is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a defender for AS FAR and the Morocco women's national team.

References

  1. 1 2 "Team Lists" (PDF). CAF. p. 8. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "Grace Chanda nets hat-trick on UWCL debut…First Zambian". Zambian Football. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  3. "Grace Chanda targets a fantastic 2021". ZamFoot. 9 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Grace Chanda wins big at Women's Awards gala". ZamFoot. 26 November 2021.
  5. "Grace Chanda starts life in Kazakhstan". ZamFoot. 28 March 2022.
  6. "Grace Chanda joins Madrid CFF". Zambian Football. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  7. "Kundananji nets brace as Grace Chanda makes her debut". Zambian Football. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  8. "Grace Chanda opens goal account as Kundananji nets brace". Zambian Football. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Grace Chanda comes from the bench to rescue a vital point for Madrid CFF". Zambian Football. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  10. "Grace Chanda". Playmaker Stats. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  11. "2022/23 Primera División Femenina". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  12. "Chanda scores on Madrid CFF return". Zambia: News Diggers!. 14 May 2024.
  13. "Orlando Pride signs Zambian international Grace Chanda". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  14. "Orlando Pride midfielder Grace Chanda placed on season-ending injury list". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  15. "Pride VP files FIFA grievance over Chanda injury". ESPN.com. 27 August 2024.
  16. "Grace Chanda, Margaret Belemu make WAFCON best 11 - ZamFoot". 26 July 2022.
  17. "Grace Chanda starts life in Kazakhstan". Zambian Football. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Chanda – The dream has not ended yet". CAF. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  19. "Grace Chanda thrilled by CAF Women's Player of the Year Award Nomination". FAZ TV. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  20. "Zambia suffer second blow ahead of World Cup debut". Reuters.
  21. "CAF announces TotalEnergies Women's AFCON 2022 Best XI". CAF. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  22. "IFFHS Women's CAF Team 2022". The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). 31 January 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.