By Kennedy Mulenga, Consultant, Researcher and Lecturer
Racheal Kundananji became the world’s most expensive footballer this week following a $787,800 transfer from Madrid CFF of Spain to Bay FC of the United States, eclipsing Keira Walsh’s $500,000 move from from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022.
Kundananji scored 33 goals in 34 matches at Madrid CFF. She will be teammates with Nigerian star Asitat Oshoala, who moved to Barcelona two weeks earlier. Kundananji’s deal represents the first time an African flayer, male or female has broken a world transfer record.
Kundananji was born on 3 June 2000, in the Copperbelt town of Chingola, Zambia.
Kundananji’s professional football journey started at Konkola Queens in Chililabombwe, a small town in Copperbelt Province, Zambia; and moved to Indeni Roses of Ndola in 2017, where she scored 21 goals in the 18 games she played, helping the team win the league championship.
In 2019 at age 18, Kundananji moved abroad and signed for BIIK Kazygurt of Kazakhstan and helped the team win back-to-back league championships in 2019 and 2020.
In 2022, Kundananji moved to Spain where she signed with SD Eibar of the Primera Iberdrola for the 2021-2022 season. She scored 8 goals in her 21 appearances for the club. Her exploits at BIIK Kazgurt and SD Eibar aided her move to Madrid CFF in August 2022.
On 13 February 2024, the world witnessed Kundananji’s record-breaking transfer of $787,800 in women football in a deal that will last until 2027, with the option of one year extension as she joined Bay United F.C. from Madrid CFF of Spain.
Kundananji’s world breaking move will encourage many Zambian girls and girls across the African continent in their football exploits.
