Zambian international honored as the very best in Southern African football in 2023
San Francisco (May 9, 2024) – Bay FC, the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area in the NWSL, announced today that the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) recognized Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji with the 2023 Women’s Player of the Year Award presented by COSAFA. Kundananji was nominated for the award alongside fellow Zambian Barbra Banda and Malawian Tabitha Chawinga.
The inaugural ceremony was staged at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg with 11 awards presented for the best performances in 2023 and judged by individuals from the 14 member nations that make up COSAFA (Comoros, Angola, South Africa, Seychelles, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique). Kundananji was not present to receive the award as she was traveling with Bay FC to play Orlando Pride.
Footage of Kundananji with Bay FC can be found HERE. Credit can be attributed to Bay FC.
Bay FC is hosting its inaugural home season at PayPal Park in San Jose and tickets are now available for purchase at bayfc.com. Fans can also follow @wearebayfc on social channels for more exciting announcements to come.
About Bay Football Club
Bay Football Club (Bay FC) is the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area and the 14th team to join the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Bay FC was established in April 2023 and co-founded by USWNT legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street and an investor group of leading tech, business and sports executives. Sixth Street’s investment is the largest institutional investment to date in a women’s professional sports franchise. Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. Beginning play in the 2024 season, we are building a squad that will play the beautiful game with power, passion, energy, and creativity. Tickets are now on sale for Bay FC at https://bayfc.com and fans can follow Bay FC’s social channels (@wearebayfc) for the latest news, merchandise, and events.
