Selecting a top 10 for this month’s African Women’s Power Rankings proved a trying task. With more top footballers from across the continent in action than at any time over the last four months and several having noteworthy success, competition at the top was stiff.
After a bright start to her Atlético Madrid career and her heroics for Banyana Banyana at the Aisha Buhari Cup, Thembi Kgatlana is back on top, with Barcelona and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala hot on her heels after an impressive start to the Primera Iberdrola season.
It was an exceptional month for Desiree Ellis’ team and there are thus several South African players scattered across the top 10.
1. Thembi Kgatlana, Atlético Madrid
Thembi Kgatlana came on as a substitute for her first three Atlético Madrid matches in the Primera Iberdrola, giving a good account of herself — particularly in the 2-0 derby win over Real Madrid. As a result, she earned a starting berth for her fourth appearance for Las Rojiblancas, a 3-2 win over Alavés.
Atlético Madrid won each of their opening four league games and it seems Kgatlana was right when she told ESPN that her new club was taking women’s football seriously.
However, it is predominantly due to her star displays for Banyana Banyana at the Aisha Buhari Cup that she finds herself at the top of this list.
Kgatlana’s superb run in behind the defence and shot which hit the crossbar led to South Africa’s first goal in the 3-0 win over Ghana and she followed up with a breathtaking strike of her own.
In the 4-2 win over Nigeria, she terrorised the opposition defence down the flanks, with her cross from the right setting up Hildah Magaia for a shot that was turned into the net by Michelle Alozie.
A swift counter-attack following a missed header from Desire Oparanozie saw Kgatlana twisting and turning down the left side before firing against the crossbar, with Gabriella Salgado following up and scoring.
Kgatlana was also the catalyst of Banyana’s fourth goal as she initiated a counter-attack down the left which set up Linda Motlhalo to win a penalty, which was converted by Mamello Makhabane.
2. Asisat Oshoala, Barcelona
Oshoala was not at her best during the Aisha Buhari Cup and missed a crucial close-range header early on against Banyana which could have set the tone for the game. She did, however, put in a good shift against Mali, setting up both of Gift Monday’s goals.
In the Primera Iberdrola, however, she has been more prolific in front of goal for Barcelona. Oshoala has netted three successive braces in a row, in a 5-0 win over Real Betis and then 8-0 triumphs over Valencia and Villarreal.
Last season’s runaway champions are the early league leaders on goal difference and Oshoala, who became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League in 2020/21, looks set for another tremendous campaign.
3. Linda Motlhalo, Djurgårdens
Djurgårdens’ mixed results have, at times, prevented Motlhalo from soaring to the upper echelons of our Women’s Power Rankings. However, she recently started in back-to-back victories in the Damallsvenskan against Hammarby and then the Svenska Cupen against Boo.
More notably, Motlhalo was on fire for South Africa in the Aisha Buhari Cup. She scored a penalty against Nigeria for South Africa’s second goal, but her overall contribution during the tournament went way beyond just that.
Notably, she won a penalty in the dying minutes of the game which Makhabane converted to hand Banyana an away win over the Super Falcons.
4. Janine van Wyk, Glasgow City
Van Wyk demonstrated her leadership and durability in September in a Banyana Banyana shirt. She started both of South Africa’s Aisha Buhari Cup wins and played a vital role in marshalling her troops.
She then started the 2-1 COSAFA Cup win over Malawi, rounding off a month which also saw her start both legs of Glasgow City’s UEFA Champions League second round defeat to Servette FCCF.
Van Wyk also started the 2-2 draw with fellow title challengers Celtic and the 6-0 mauling of Motherwell.
5. Rasheedat Ajibade, Atlético Madrid
Ajibade continues to showcase her status as a promising prospect at Las Rojiblancas. She opened her account for the season with a goal in the 5-0 opening matchday drubbing of Rayo Vallecano.
While Ajibade remains a rising star, she faces a battle to start regularly for Atléti as Kgatlana settles in at the club.
Nevertheless, the Super Falcons is bound to learn plenty from her battle for minutes on the field with a player who has often been relegated to an impact player role herself but is fast turning into a superstar.
6. Hildah Magaia, Morön BK
Magaia plies her trade with Morön BK in the Elitettan, the second tier of Swedish women’s football. As a result, she has at times been overlooked for these rankings even when she has been in form. However, an exception must be made following her performances at the Aisha Buhari Cup.
Magaia opened the scoring against Ghana in South Africa’s 3-0 win and it was her shot that was turned in by Michelle Alozie for the first of Banyana’s goals against Nigeria too.
Having consistently scored over a goal every two games for Morön, perhaps Magaia’s time for more illustrious opportunities is near.
7. Uchenna Kanu, Linköping
Kanu was on target for Linköping in the 3-1 win over Djurgårdens, taking her tally for the Damallsvenskan season to seven goals. She sits joint-fourth on the top scorers’ chart, which is currently topped by BK Häcken’s Stina Blackstenius.
Kanu is bound to be crucial for Linköping as they look to chase down Eskilstuna United in the race for the final UEFA Champions League berth, with league leaders Rosengård and second-placed Häcken well clear of the rest of the pack.
8. Refiloe Jane, AC Milan
Jane continues to pull the strings in midfield for Banyana Banyana and AC Milan. A reliable presence, she rarely puts a foot wrong.
September was a successful month for both as South Africa won the Aisha Buhari Cup and Milan started the Serie A campaign with wins over Hellas Verona, Sampdoria and Lazio.
Unfortunately for Jane, Milan’s winning run came to an end in the last game of the month as they lost 2-0 to Sassuolo in a match which saw her come on as a 46th minute substitute.
9. Toni Payne, Sevilla
Payne was on target for Sevilla in a 2-2 draw with Madrid CFF, meaning she has now scored four goals in her last 12 games at club level.
She has been an important player for Sevilla in recent years, but one has the sense that at 26 years of age, this new Super Falcons international has more to offer still. The addition of more goals to her game in recent months is a trend she should seek to continue.
Having extended her contract with Sevilla to 2024 earlier this year, Payne should be entering her prime and has a vital role to play this season.
10. Estelle Johnson, Gotham FC
Gotham have begun the road to revival after a tricky run in August. September has seen them react well to the appointment of Scott Parkinson as the team’s new head coach, picking up a 0-0 draw with Chicago Red Stars and a 3-1 victory over North Carolina Courage.
Johnson started in the heart of defence in both of these fixtures and the Cameroon international deserves credit for helping her team steady the ship. Her experience will be crucial as Gotham transition into a new era.
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