FirstTouch’s Top 5 African Female Ballers of 2019

On the 7th of January 2020 in Egypt, Africa's football governing body CAF will announce the top women's player of the year. It's an accolade that has seen all its previous winners enjoy global success as they pushed for new frontiers and held the banner of African football with pride. Out of the shortlist of 10 women chosen by technology and media professionals, here at FirstTouch, we have picked our 5 leading candidates to claim the prize. In no particular order, they are as follows:

Han Peng #18 and Liu Shanshan #2 of China try to block Ajara Nchout #3 of Cameroon during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada Round 16 match between China and Cameroon at Commonwealth Stadium on June 20, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

(June 19, 2015 - Source: Todd Korol/Getty Images North America)

1. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Barcelona)

No better place to start than with the 3-time winner of the CAF Women's Footballer of the year. The 25-year old Nigerian international has become a legend all too quickly playing for the best teams in the best leagues around the world. Not least of her former employers include Arsenal, Liverpool and Dalian Quanjian in the Chinese Women's Super League. The year 2019 was probably not her best with Barcelona as the Spanish Primera Division side missed out on the league and UEFA Champions League honors. Perhaps her biggest goals of the year included one in Barcelona's only goal in a 1-4 final loss to Lyon in Champions League and another one against South Korea that helped Nigeria reach the round-of-16 of the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in since 1999.

2. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa & Beijing BG Phoenix Rising)

After an unreal 2018 that left her by far the best player on the continent as she helped South Africa reach the FIFA Women's World Cup finals for the first time, Kgatlana didn't fold in 2019. The reigning CAF Best Player of the year made the move to Chinese side Beijing BG Phoenix Rising in February 2019 and has since scored 6 goals in her debut league appearance. The 23-year-old forward also scored South Africa's first and only goal of the World Cup in a group stages 1-3 loss to Spain.

3. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi & Jiangsu Suning)

Africa keeps churning goal-scoring talents and Chawinga is the latest legend in the making. After becoming the first Malawian women's player to ply her trade in Europe, the 22-year-old has delivered performances worthy of being a pioneer. Short stints in Sweden saw her grab all the top goal scorer's awards she ever contested for and at times pipping the runner-up by a clear 14 goals. She has since made a move to China after a record transfer fee in Swedish football. The year 2019 was her second in the Chinese Women's Super League as she helped Jiangsu Suning to a treble and also bagged a treble of her own in terms of top goal-scoring accolades. Chawinga is the current top goal scorer in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers and also retained the CSWL's golden boot after scoring 12 times in 14 league appearances, 4 goals ahead of the second-best. By reason of all this, she surely is the favorite to win Africa's top prize. It just looks like her reign has only started and could make the rounds in a few more years, world-wide.

Elizabeth Addo of Ghana looks on during the women's international friendly match between Germnay and Ghana at Benteler Arena on July 22, 2016 in Paderborn, Germany.

(July 21, 2016 - Source: Lars Baron/Bongarts)

4. Ajara Nchout (Cameroon & Valerenga)

This name should be familiar to most. The Cameroonian international scored Cameroon's only 2 goals in their only victory over New Zealand at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France. The Valerenga forward's brace was actually enough to send the Indomitable Lionesses into the round-of-16 where they eventually lost 3-0 to England under the spotlight of VAR controversies. Most excitingly, the 26-year-old was nominated for the 2019 FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of the year courtesy of her brilliant solo goal against New Zealand at the World Cup. She could be forgiven for then losing out to Lionel Messi on the accolade. The Indomitable Lionesses forward has also proven a clutch in her nation's pursuit of a 2020 Tokyo Olympics spot, scoring the decisive goal against DR Congo in the 3rd round. Cameroon are now in the playoffs finals against Zambia.

5. Elizabeth Addo (Ghana & Jiangsu Suning)

When they mention Chawinga in China, Addo's name usually comes after. The Black Queens captain is the Malawian's partner in crime at Jiangsu Suning. Elizabeth, 26, also aided the CWSL side's treble win with her 3 goals in 14 outings. She has been one of the best footballers on the continent for a while now, with club stints in Nigeria, Serbia, Hungary, Sweden, USA, and Australia. Addo also captained Ghana at the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations and got listed in the tournament's best XI despite the host nation's failure to go past the group stages.

There you have it people, let us know if we missed anyone in the comment box below.

2018 Women's AFCON: Who is Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala really?

In our previous article, “Heroes Without Capes”, we gave you a list of women to look out for in the 2018 Total Africa Cup of Nations. This article was quite objective in giving bits of credit to each of the five women that we covered. Unfortunately, there was only so much we could say which is why we want to give attention to one of the players we featured; Asisat Oshoala. We want to shed light on who she truly is.

“Just like all great players, she soon became the envy of other teams. In 2016, Liverpool had to unwillingly release the player to Arsenal Ladies. Even though her stay with Arsenal was relatively brief, it was long enough for her to win the English Women FA Cup.”

— Simiso Shabangu, FirstTouch Africa

Asisat Oshoala #8 of Nigeria reacts after scoring the second goal against Sweden during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Group D match between Sweden and Nigeria at Winnipeg Stadium on June 8, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada.

(June 7, 2015 - Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

Started from the Bottom

Asisat Oshoala is a 23-year old striker who has always been the athletic child who derived joy from sports. She is from Nigeria and she kicked off her soccer career with FC Robo Queens which is a Lagos based team. She later transferred to Rivers Angels where she led them to being the champions in the 2014 Nigeria Women Football League. In 2013, she had been crowned the best player in the league.

Her playing capabilities did not just end at club level, as she then got herself a spot on the Nigerian national team for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup where she would then fly the Nigerian flag high .

Club Career

In 2014, her dream to play at international level was realised when she joined Liverpool Ladies. She expressed joy at the opportunity to be in a team with other fantastic players where she will be groomed to become a global phenomenon. Just like all great players, she soon became the envy of other teams. In 2016, Liverpool had to unwillingly release the player to Arsenal Ladies. Even though her stay with Arsenal was relatively brief, it was long enough for her to win the English Women FA Cup. Right now, she is currently playing in the Chinese Super League with the Dalian Quanjian FC. Like we have seen, playing for the sake of it is not her style, she rather excels, she has been voted the Best Striker in the Chinese Women’s Super Cup. This is after she also emerged as the top goal scorer in the Women’s CSL.

Well Deserved Accolades

Above the titles that she has won in the different leagues, she has also received recognition at continental level. She won the 2017 African Women's Player of the Year award. To get this award means that you are not just great when playing for your team or your country, but the face of all the women soccer players in Africa and you are unquestionably amazing on the pitch. In 2015, she was also named BBC’s Women Footballer of the Year. Even earlier than that, she was recognised as the most valuable player at the U20 World Cup in Canada 2014.

Golden at Heart

Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria reacts after missing a breakaway attempt during the FIFA Women's U-20 Final against Germany at Olympic Stadium on August 24, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Even though Oshoala’s career is unquestionably glimmering, she has not in any way forgotten where she comes from. She recently donated a bus to her inaugural team FC Robo Queens which is a Lagos based team. This bus will be used to transport team members to soccer matches in style and comfort.

She also bought her parents a mansion worth an undisclosed amount. In spite of how much the house is worth, it is her spirit to always give back to the people who have lifted her on their shoulders to place her where she is, that we truly appreciate.

Conclusion

It is not possible to give full credit to this amazing striker in an article. She defined her passion at an early age and pursued it until it became every female footballer’s envy. Thank you Oshoala for inspiring African women to work hard for the things they want while not forgetting their roots!

2018 Women’s AFCON: Heroines Without Capes

As an African woman myself, I know that whenever you show an interest in “manly” sports like soccer, a good number of your neighbours will start questioning your sexuality. Once you start playing it, it does not get any better because you are told that nobody will marry you as your soccer will scare men away. In spite of all these stereotypes, there are women who have not just played soccer but have taken a huge societal stance, and are going to represent their nations.

As you pack your bags to Accra, Ghana for the 2018 Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, here is a list of five women that you should look out for as they fly the flags of their countries high.

Jermaine Seoposenwe of South Africa tackles Jessica Samuelsson of Sweden during the Women's Group E first round match between Sweden and South Africa during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 3, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Aug. 2, 2016 - Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)

“There will of course be oozing talent, excellent tactics and impressive dribbles that will leave us yearning for more from others as well. Most importantly, this tournament will continue to combat the stereotype that soccer is a manly sport. Soccer is a passion that can be pursued by anyone, regardless of their gender.”

— Simiso Shabangu, FirstTouch Africa

Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria

Hillia Kobblah of Ghana challenges Simone Laudehr of Germany during the women's international friendly match between Germnay and Ghana at Benteler Arena on July 22, 2016 in Paderborn, Germany.

(July 21, 2016 - Source: Lars Baron/Bongarts)

After winning the Africa’s Female Footballer of the Year award in 2017, the 23-year old Nigerian has been rising from grace to glory. She has appeared for the Super Falcons in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She was with Liverpool ladies in 2013, before she was taken by Arsenal Ladies in 2016. She is currently in China where she is not just playing for the China Dalian Quanjian FC, but has been crowned the best striker in the Chinese Women’s Super League. We are waiting expectantly to see what she will do for Nigeria in November 2018..

Barbra Banda, Zambia

She is currently hailed as the Zambian Sportswoman of the Year and she was She-polopolo’s top scorer in the 2017 Cosafa Women’s Championship. Notably, she is the reason why the Zambian team is even present at the tournament as she scored the winning goal against the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe. The striker’s tactics has wowed the whole of Southern Africa and we hope she will also grace the continent with her skills as it gathers in Ghana.

Grace Asentwaa, Ghana

She is only 17 but the midfielder was crowned player of the match in Ghana’s game against New Zealand in the final group game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. If this young lady does grace us at the tournament, keep your eyes on her. It is inspiring and quite powerful to have someone at her age who has developed her passion to the level that Grace has. She is a gem for now and the future of global football.

Thembi Kgatlana , South Africa

Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa runs with the ball during the Women's Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Aug. 5, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images South America)

The 22-year old was so instrumental in South Africa’s COSAFA Women’s Championship in Zimbabwe that she left with the Player of the Tournament award. As if that was not enough, she has also been nominated for the African Player of the Year Award. This means that in this tournament, we will not just be looking out for her spectacular performance on the field, but we will be watching if she takes this award away as well. She is not just the top goal scorer in her team, but she also represented the University Sports South Africa National Team at the World Student Games in Taipei, Taiwan.

Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene, Cameroon

She is also nominated for the Female CAF Player of the Year Award, but this is not the first time the recognition has shone on her. She was the best Player at 2016 Africa Cup of Nations. As we can guess, this title does not just fall on anyone, but it comes as a result of hard work and unquestionably splendid performances. These are some of the things that are drawing us towards this 29-year old Cameroonian player. She is currently progressing her career with Rossiyanka in the Russian Championship.

This is not in anyway a comprehensive list of the women that we should look out for in this tournament. There will of course be oozing talent, excellent tactics and impressive dribbles that will leave us yearning for more from others as well. Most importantly, this tournament will continue to combat the stereotype that soccer is a manly sport. Soccer is a passion that can be pursued by anyone, regardless of their gender.

Nigeria: Asisat Oshoala not in Nigeria’s squad for France friendly

The three-time women’s African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala has been left out of the Super Falcons’ squad to face France in Le Mans on 6 April. A Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) official highlighted that her Chinese club Dalian Quanjian refused to release her on the grounds that she had once missed pre-season training after returning late from international duty. Oshoala was originally in the 23 women’s squad together with other five high profile internationals who have also been omitted. The NFF official also added that some players had passport and visa issues hence the omission. The former Arsenal and Liverpool striker refused to acknowledge any alleged acts of indiscipline and insisted that she is missing the friendly to sort out her work permit.

Asisat Oshoala helped Nigeria to their record eighth Women’s African Nations title in Cameroon 2016. The friendly is part of Nigeria’s preparations to ace the qualifiers for the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations to be held in Ghana this November. Their performance in the tournament will also determine if they will secure a spot at the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup in France. The Super Falcons have appeared in the world cup since 1991 but have failed to reach the last four on any occasion.