Pride of Nepal
Nepal's All-Time Top Scorer
Born on May 23, 1996, in the village of Simpani, Lamjung, Nepal, Sabitra Bhandari grew up playing football barefoot with a ball made from rolled-up socks. With no facilities and limited resources, her talent was raw but undeniable.
At 18, she traveled to Kathmandu with just Rs. 5,000 (around $38) in her pocket and a dream. To save the Rs. 10 bus fare, she would walk hours to training — just so she could buy a banana for her diet. Her nickname "Samba" was given by APF teammates, inspired by her skillful, Brazilian-style play.
Today, she stands as Nepal's all-time leading scorer with over 66 international goals, the highest-scoring female footballer in South Asian history, and the first Nepali to play in a top-tier European league — France's Division 1 Féminine with EA Guingamp.
From Rs. 5,000 in her pocket to European stadiums — every chapter of an extraordinary story.
Left Lamjung with just Rs. 5,000. Spent Rs. 3,000 on her first pair of football shoes. Impressed at APF trials playing barefoot — and earned her first contract.
At just 17, came off the bench against Bhutan and sealed an 8-0 victory. A star was born on the international stage.
Became the first Nepali to score a double hat-trick internationally. 6 goals vs Bhutan, 5 vs Maldives, 1 vs India — 12 goals as tournament's top scorer.
Represented Nepal at the South Asian Games, scoring twice against Sri Lanka. Her reputation continued to grow across the region.
Left APF after 5 years. Joined Sethu FC and scored 15 goals in 7 matches. Scored twice in the IWL final to overturn a 1-0 deficit — won 3-1 vs Manipur Police.
First foreigner ever to win IWL Golden Boot. 16 goals including the title-winning goal in the 3-2 final victory over KRYPHSA.
Suffered a devastating ACL injury on her right knee while playing for APF. Career-threatening. Missed the entire 2021-22 IWL season during rehabilitation.
Returned stronger. 29 goals — IWL all-time record for a single season. Third league title. Second Golden Boot. 5-0 demolition in the final vs Kickstart.
First move to the Middle East. Scored on debut in 90th minute. 6 goals in 4 league games before spell was cut short by the October 7 conflict.
First Nepali ever in a top-tier European league. First South Asian to score in D1 Féminine. Featured in The Guardian. A brace against Paris Saint-Germain.
Sealed a 3-2 victory with a hat-trick. First South Asian — male or female — to score a hat-trick in European top-flight football. 6 goals in 19 games as Guingamp's top scorer.
Signed a 2-year deal. On December 20, 2025 — 2 goals + 1 assist vs Sydney FC. First Nepali to score in A-League Women. The journey continues across continents.
From playing barefoot with a sock ball in Lamjung to scoring hat-tricks in European top leagues.
Records, achievements, and defining moments from over a decade of professional football.
Historic firsts and unmatched achievements
Nepal's all-time leading scorer and South Asia's highest-scoring female footballer, surpassing India's Bala Devi
First Nepali and South Asian to score a hat-trick in a top-tier European league
Phenomenal strike rate in the Indian Women's League
Including a double hat-trick (6 goals) vs Bhutan
Professional career spanning across Asia, Middle East & Europe
Scored twice against the giants of French football, announcing herself on the biggest stage in European women's football.
First South Asian player to score a hat-trick in a top European league. A stunning 3-2 victory sealed with her third goal in the dying minutes. A landmark moment that put Nepal on the global football map.
Scored 5 goals in a single match against Iran, reaching her 50th international goal milestone. 9 goals total in the tournament, leading Nepal to the final.
6 goals in one match at the SAFF Championship in Siliguri. The performance that made all of South Asia take notice and announced Samba's arrival on the international stage.
The journey from Lamjung, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation.
Born in the village of Pamchok, Lamjung District, Sabitra grew up as the second of six children in a humble farming family. With no football facilities and limited resources, she played barefoot with neighborhood boys using a ball made from rolled-up socks.
In 2014, at just 17 years old, she traveled to Kathmandu with only Rs. 5,000 ($38) in her pocket. She bought her first pair of football boots for Rs. 3,000 and used the rest for food and travel.
"I used to walk to my training center to save Rs. 10 bus fare — just to buy a banana for my diet."— Sabitra Bhandari
Second of six siblings (four sisters, one brother). Grew up working in the fields of Pamchok village alongside her parents.
"Samba"
Given by APF teammates — inspired by her skillful, Brazilian-style play. Short hair and blonde highlights made her stand out.
Grew up listening to radio commentary of Nepal stars Anu Lama and Jamuna Gurung. Dreamed of playing alongside them.
Now pays tuition fees for siblings back home. A football field is being built in her home village.
Inspiring the next generation of South Asian footballers
Every club, every chapter — from Nepal to Europe and beyond. A decade of breaking barriers.
Origin
Champion
Historic
Current
Captain
It doesn't matter where you start, it's how you progress from there. I walked to training to save Rs. 10 bus fare — just to buy a banana for my diet. That hunger never leaves you.