ORLANDO PRIDE RETAIN GRACE CHANDA THROUGH 2026 SEASON

By BARNABAS ZULU

COPPER Queens star midfielder Grace Chanda will remain with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Orlando Pride until at least the end of the 2026 season, following the club’s decision to activate her contract’s mutual option.
The American outfit confirmed the news via an official statement on their website monitored by the ZamFoot Crew, announcing the extension of Chanda’s stay in Florida.
Chanda initially joined the Pride in May 2024, shortly after Zambia’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, signing a deal through the 2025 season with an option for an additional year.
Unfortunately, her start in the NWSL was hampered after she sustained an injury while representing Zambia at the Olympics, which led to her being placed on the Season Ending Injury list. Despite her limited appearances, the Pride have shown faith in Chanda’s quality and potential. The 28-year-old made her debut for the club as a second-half substitute against the Washington Spirit on March 19, marking one of three NWSL appearances so far.
Before her move to the U.S., Chanda featured for Madrid CFF in Spain’s top-flight Liga F and had previously dazzled on the European stage with BIIK Kazygurt, where she scored a hat-trick on her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut in a 5-1 win over Croatia’s ZNK Split in August 2022.
A prolific scorer, Chanda has a rich history of achievements. She was the top scorer in the African qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with eight goals and led Zambia to a bronze medal finish at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, netting three times.