Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal national women’s football team captain and star striker Sabitra Bhandari has signed with the Wellington Phoenix for the next two seasons of the Ninja A-League – the Australian top-flight women’s football league.
Wellington Phoenix is the only New Zealand club that plays in the 12-team Australian women’s league.
“Bhandari (29) has been a prolific goal scorer for both club and country. The striker, popularly known as Samba, has scored 66 goals in 60 matches for Nepal, including remarkably netting three hat-tricks in three matches in the recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification tournament,” Wellington Phoenix said in a press statement on Wednesday. “She found the back of the net more than 60 times in just 24 matches in the Indian Women’s Super League, helping secure a move to En Avant Guingamp in France, where last year she became the first Nepali player to play and score in a top European league.”
The Ninja A League will be the fourth international league for Samba, who has previously played in the Indian Women’s League, Women’s Premier League (Israel) and the French Premiere Ligue.
Meet the Nepalese women’s captain, Sabitra (Samba) Bhandari 🇳🇵
Sabitra, a national icon and Nepal’s all-time leading goal scorer. Her leadership, experience, and on-field excellence will be invaluable both on and off the pitch.
Signed until the end of the 26/27 season ✍️
We… pic.twitter.com/dOKQOkmYXP
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 17, 2025
Wellington Phoenix Head Coach Amy Shepherd said he believes the club has signed a proven goal scorer of exceptional caliber. “We are proud to welcome Sabitra to the Phoenix and look forward to the impact she will make both on and off the field,” Shepherd said.
“She has demonstrated her abilities against some of the best players in the world in France, and brings a wealth of international experience and attacking prowess to our squad.”
Sabitra has said she is excited to join Wellington Phoenix. “I am excited to come to the Phoenix, score lots of goals and make the fans super happy,” Bhandari said.
“When I heard about the Phoenix’s ambitions for next season, it was easy for me to make the decision to join.”
Wellington Phoenix finished ninth in the 12-team table in the 2024/25 season.
