Born in Lamjung, Nepal
Sabitra Bhandari
साबित्रा भण्डारी
Also known as Samba
Captain and all-time record goalscorer of the Nepal women's national football team; first Nepalese player to play and score in a top-tier European league
Currently Forward, Wellington Phoenix FC
About
Sabitra Bhandari grew up in a family of six children in Lamjung. She started out playing barefoot with a homemade ball. As a teenager, she joined the Armed Police Force club.
She went on to break scoring records across South Asian women’s football. She then became a trailblazer in Europe, someone who is first to do something and opens the way for others, playing for Guingamp in France. She later moved to New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix. Throughout, she has continued to captain and lead the scoring for Nepal’s national team.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1996-05-23
- Birthplace
- Lamjung, Nepal
- Profession
- Footballer
- Current role
- Forward, Wellington Phoenix FC
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
Forward
Wellington Phoenix FC · since 2025-07
Captain
Nepal women's national football team
Previous roles
Forward
En Avant Guingamp · 2024–2025
Forward
Gokulam Kerala FC
Forward
APF Club · 2014–2019
Career & life timeline
- 1996-05-23
- 2014
Made her senior international debut for Nepal at age 17
- 2019
Moved to India to play for Sethu FC in the Indian Women's League
- 2024-03
Scored for En Avant Guingamp, becoming the first Nepalese player to score in a top-tier European league
- 2025-07
Signed with Wellington Phoenix for the 2025–26 A-League Women season
Achievements
All-time highest goalscorer in Nepalese football history
Highest female goalscorer in South Asian football history
First Nepalese player to play and score in a top-tier European league competition
2024First South Asian player to score a hat-trick in a top-tier European league
Organizations & affiliations
- Wellington Phoenix FC
- Nepal women's national football team
- All Nepal Football Association
Last updated: 2026-09-02