De 68th Ballon d'Or ceremony go happen on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. Dis year, de ceremony go recognize de best footballers in de world for de 2023-24 season, and it go be a special one for African women footballers.
For de first time in de history of de award, two African women, Tabitha Chawinga from Malawi and Barbra Banda from Zambia, don make de nominee list. Tabitha Chawinga, who play for Lyon, dey 4th on de list with 8.6% of de votes, while Barbra Banda, who play for Orlando Pride, dey 3rd with 11.4% of de votes. Dey both be among de top goal scorers in de game right now, and dem achievements be impressive.
Tabitha Chawinga sign for Lyon after spending de 2023/24 season on loan at PSG. She score 42 goals in 44 appearances and become de first Malawian to play and score in de UEFA Women’s Champions League. Barbra Banda, on de other hand, sign for Orlando Pride earlier dis year and become de second most expensive player in women’s football history. She lead her team to an undefeated season so far, scoring 12 goals in 14 appearances.
De Ballon d’Or Féminin has historically been dominated by European and North American players, so for two African women to be recognized be a big feat. Asisat Oshoala, who be de first and only African woman to be shortlisted for de award two years ago, pave de way for dem.
De ceremony go also introduce two new accolades: men’s Coach of the Year and women’s Coach of the Year. UEFA go co-organize de Ballon d’Or gala for de first time, with France Football retaining de voting system and de Ballon d’Or name.
Fans around de world can vote for their favourite players through de official website, and Malawians and Zambians can show dem support by voting en masse for Tabitha Chawinga and Barbra Banda.
