Zambia Star to Play in World Cup After Passing Gender Eligibility Test

• The deadly Barbra Banda will take part in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australasia
• The Zambian sniper was the subject of gender eligibility controversy and missed out in 2022
• FIFA has expressed delight that she will participate in the football tournament 'Down Under'

Barbra Banda is going to take part in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The deadly Zambian striker's participation in the much-anticipated tournament was up in the air as a result of gender eligibility.

Staggeringly, the Football Association of Zambia withdrew her from participating in the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, after stating she had failed a gender eligibility test.

Shepolopolo finished in third place, and there is no telling how much better than bronze Zambia could have been had she been in North Africa.

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Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's football officer, said to BBC Sport Africa:

"We are looking forward to welcoming her to Australia and New Zealand next year to participate. FIFA is currently reviewing our gender eligibility regulations - we're in a consultation process right now."

Bareman said her team was a major part of the consultation process and in coming months, FIFA would release new regulations to mirror the revision of rules in other sports.

Banyana drawn in nightmare group

South Africa has been drawn in a 'group of death' at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

African champions Banyana Banyana will be in Group F alongside Sweden, Italy and Argentina, Sports Brief has reported.

The latest FIFA rankings show Sweden is second in the world, while Italy and Argentina are 14th and 29th respectively. Banyana is down in 54th as they prepare for a second World Cup outing.

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'Women's World Cup is safe'

Football Australia's James Johnson vowed tough sanctions after a goalkeeper was attacked during an A-League match, Sports Brief also reported.

However, he insisted the sport was safe and there were no concerns about co-hosting the women's World Cup next year.

The derby game between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City was abandoned on Saturday evening, after City goalkeeper Tom Glover was smashed in the head with a metal bucket full of sand, which left him with a concussion and a bloody gash that required stitches.