Orlando Pride slam ‘unacceptable’ Zambia treatment of Chanda after injury

Grace Chanda was expected to be a key midseason acquisition for the Orlando Pride, but the midfielder was instead ruled out for the season on Wednesday due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon.

According to Pride VP of soccer operations and general manager Haley Carter, the injury was caused by some serious mismanagement from the Zambia women’s national team.

After the Pride announced Chanda’s injury, Carter posted a fiery message on X accusing Zambia of “unacceptable” treatment of the 27-year-old midfielder at the recently completed Olympics.

“So disappointed for Grace,” Carter said. “Inadequate medical and performance resources, mismanaged loads, day-long travel in economy to the Olympics, and asks of her to continue training and play in the opening match post-injury. Totally unacceptable.”

Chanda came off injured in the first half of Zambia’s opening defeat against the U.S. women’s national team, and wouldn’t play in either of the team’s final two matches against Australia and Germany.

Zambia exited the Olympics after losing all three of its group-stage games.

Chanda initially signed with the Pride in May after spending two seasons with Madrid CFF in Spain’s Liga F. She was set to debut for the NWSL leaders upon completion of the Olympics.

The controversy over Chanda’s injury will cast a further shadow over Zambia’s women’s program, which has been dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct against head coach Bruce Mwape.

Though Mwape was allowed to coach Zambia at the Olympics, he was banned from any private contact with his players amid an ongoing investigation.

Mwape, 64, has denied the allegations against him.

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