Nepal’s Rising Stars: Nepali Women’s Football on the Global Stage

Nepali women footballers are making their progress everywhere throughout the world and this is where the women football of Nepal is getting acclaimed worldwide. The Talented players Savitra Bhandari, Rekha Paudel and Anjila Tumbapo Subba had reached new heights opening the door for upcoming Nepali football. They are a big source of pride for Nepal and have inspired many young athletes to achieve their dreams.

 

Sabitra Bhandari (En Avant Guingamp, france)

Let’s start with Sabitra Bhandari, Known as “Samba” by the fans, Sabitra Bhandari has always been a pioneer for women sportspersons from Nepal. She is also known as the goal machine of Nepal. After such an outstanding performance with Hapoel Ra’anana AFC from Israel, she later joined En Avant Guingamp on her debut French league entrance. With this move to European football she made history as she became the first Nepali female footballer playing in a professional French league. She came on in the 75th minute against Bordeaux and helped her team to a 1-1 draw. With this goal, she also became the first Nepali footballer to score in Europe.

 

Rekha Poudel (Abu Dhabi Country Club, UAE)

One of the biggest moments in the international career of Rekha Poudel happened during the preliminary round of the AFC Women’s Champions League. 

Representing Abu Dhabi Country Club, Rekha made a game-changing impact against Al Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia. Coming onto the pitch in the 64th minute, four minutes later, she scored a deciding goal, confirming her ability to take any chance offered. 

She was recently signed by the Abu Dhabi Country Club and became the first Nepali female footballer to score during the AFC Women’s Championship. Her decisive goal took her team Abu Dhabi Country Club into the main stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League for the 2024/25 season. 

This goal was not just a big moment for Rekha, but also for Nepali footballers in international competitions. Even today, it inspires many young Nepali athletes, showing that talent and determination can achieve great things on the world stage.

 

Anjila Tumbapo Subba (Nees Atromitou, Greece)

Lastly, we have Anjila Tumbapo Subba, the captain and goalkeeper of the Nepali national team, has recently joined the Greek A Division club Nees Atromitou for the 2024/25 season. She is only the second woman from Nepal after Sabitra Bhandari to participate in a European match. 

Before this, Anjila played for Sethu FC in India, where she made a significant impact in the Indian Women’s League. Her remarkable performance, especially during the WAFF Championship, have not only attracted attention. She also received an offer from a famous club in Saudi Arabia, impressed by her skills and leadership on the field. 

However, Anjila chose the Greek league over the Asian league, to fulfill her dream of playing in Europe. This move is a clear example of her great success in the international arena of football. 

Inspiring the Next Generation

Apart from these three players, other Nepali female footballers are also looking for opportunities to play in international leagues. The success of Bhandari, Paudel and Subba has opened the door for more Nepali women to showcase their skills on the global stage. 

This is also an example that proves that with determination and hard work, even a small nation can make a significant impact on the world stage.Their journey has inspired many young girls in Nepal to dream big and pursue sports to change their lives.

 

Do you think other Nepali players will get the opportunity to play abroad in the future? Leave the comment below !