Wellington Phoenix defender Mackenzie Barry says Nepal international striker Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari will strike fear into opposing defenders throughout her debut Ninja A-League campaign.
The Nepalese superstar brings incredible goalscoring pedigree to the Phoenix where she has joined a star cast of off-season signings in a new-look Wellington side, led by Olympic Gold Medal-winning former Canada head coach Bev Priestman.
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Affectionately known as ‘Samba’, Bhandari has scored 141 goals in 117 career games; Phoenix defender Barry has been marking the Nepal international in training and, ahead of kick-off to the NInja A-League 2025-26 season, says she’s relieved her defensive duties to contain Bhandari’s influence stop on the training park.
“Expect a lot of goals,” Barry said. “She’s got an amazing track record, even in training, she’s just got an eye for goal 24/7, and she’s so dangerous.
“I’m glad I don’t have to play against her, and I think the other defenders should be worried to play against her. She’s amazing.”
“Samba, who’s Nepalese, this is a huge change for her, and she’s been fitting in so well,” Barry added.
“She’s a great player, and she’s got a huge Nepalese fan base here, which is so nice and great for her and great for the league and the team as well.
“Tess (Tessel Middag) from the Netherlands, that’s another big move. She’s amazing. She’s come in and has established herself as a leader in our group. She brings so much experience. But all of them have just seamlessly fit in and are really committed to what Bev is trying to drive. So we’ve got the full buy-in, and it’s looking really good.”
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Bhandari and Middag are two of six senior internationals to have signed with the ‘Nix this off-season. Football Ferns trio CJ Bott, Victoria Esson and Phoenix product Macey Fraser have all committed to the club – as has Dominican Republic captain Lucia Leon after a remarkable season at Ninja A-League rivals Adelaide United in 2024-25.
Barry, an inaugural squad member of Wellington’s first Ninja A-League season in 2021-22, is one of the club’s resident internationals returning for another campaign in yellow and black.
The 24-year-old defender is preparing to represent the Football Ferns in friendlies against the United States and Mexico in late October prior to the start of the Ninja A-League season on November 1. The 20-cap New Zealand international says her four-year journey at the Phoenix has been pivotal to the progression of her international career.
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“I’ve grown so much as a football player and as a person,” she said.
“They (Wellington) have helped me grow and develop and make my goals like making the Ferns, making the Olympics, I couldn’t have done it without the Phoenix.
“They’ve been supporting me my whole journey and I’m so grateful.
“The fans and the other staff, as well as the coaches, have believed in me and helped me. I’ve been on this whole journey and improved a lot. I’m forever grateful this will always be my first club and, yeah, the start of my professional career.
“I’m very excited. I’m proud of myself. Making the Ferns and every time I get to wear the jersey is a huge honour… you never get used to it. It’s just amazing and an honour.”
Barry and the Football Ferns will face Mexico on October 24 and October 26 before taking on USA in Kansas City on October 30. Then, the centre-back’s attention will turn to the Ninja A-League 2025-26 season where the Phoenix have a Round 1 bye before hosting Canberra United at Sky Stadium on November 8.
