Football
Leonard Solms, Special to ESPN 1y

Asisat Oshoala, Tabitha Chawinga star in African women's power rankings for December

Several African women's footballers playing at both ends of the pitch finished 2022 in style.

This month's Power Rankings sees an old-timer return to the top of the standings, while players based in England, Portugal, Italy and France are rewarded for their work, as well as some of the usuals plying their trade in Spain.

1. Asisat Oshoala, Barcelona

Oshoala has hit form again for Barcelona after a slow recovery from a long spell on the sidelines through injury.

She was on target in the 4-0 league win over Alhama at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, starting the game and netting Barcelona's fourth goal in the 86th minute.

In the UEFA Champions League clash with Rosengård at Camp Nou, Oshoala finally got her first goals in the iconic arena, putting Barcelona 1-0 up in the 10th minute and then doubling the lead in the 16th.

Barça won the match 6-0 and finished top of Group D, finishing ahead of Bayern Munich, Benfica and the Swedish champions.

2. Tabitha Chawinga, Inter Milan

Malawi star Chawinga continued her fine form in December, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win over Pomigliano.

Chawinga has scored nine goals in as many Serie A Women games since joining Inter from Wuhan Jiangda, also notching four assists in the league.

Inter head into the new year fourth in the league, eight points behind leaders Roma.

3. Racheal Kundananji, Madrid CFF

Kundananji is still banging in the goals for Madrid and netted twice in a 2-0 win over Athletic Club on December 3.

With nine goals in the Primera Iberdrola this season, she has already surpassed the eight she scored in her debut season in the league with Eibar last term.

Madrid are fifth in the league, four points behind second-placed Levante. Champions Barcelona are already racing clear of the pack with 12 wins out of 12.

4. Rosella Ayane, Tottenham Hotspur

Ayane had one of her most productive months for Tottenham, starting four times and picking up an assist for Nikola Karczewska's winner in the 1-0 FA Women's League Cup victory over Southampton on December 18.

The Morocco attacking midfielder previously scored in the 5-1 win over Coventry City in the same competition on November 27. Spurs currently sit eighth in the FA Women's Super League but have made a major statement of intent with the signing of Beth England from Chelsea for a domestic record fee for a British player reportedly imminent at the time of writing, as per Sky Sports.

5. Osinachi Ohale, Deportivo Alavés

Ohale had a solid month at the back for Deportivo Alavés, starting all three of their games and keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Sevilla.

This was a crucial victory for Alavés, who are in a relegation dogfight and currently sit two points clear of safety. Their challenge became much more manageable as a result of the win.

Ohale, who previously played for Houston Dash, Vittsjö GIK, Växjö DFF, CD Tacón, Roma and Madrid CFF, remains a defensive mainstay at 31 years old.

6. Christy Ucheibe, Benfica

Ucheibe shone in the middle of the park for Benfica, starring for the Portuguese giants during their 3-1 away win over Rosengård.

Benfica were no match for Barcelona or Bayern Munich and ultimately finished third in the group, but doing the double over the Swedish champions was no mean feat.

7. Rinsola Babajide, Real Betis

Babajide, a 24-year-old former England U21 international, is also eligible to represent Nigeria.

She has hit a rich vein of form in the Primera Iberdrola with Real Betis, scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid on December 17 after last month's brace in the win against Sevilla and consolation goal in a 3-1 loss to Granada.

Babajide previously played for Crystal Palace, Millwall, Watford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool. It is almost certain that we have not seen the last of her, but the question remains over whether or not she wants to be associated with the Super Falcons.

8. Chiamaka Nnadozie, Paris FC

Nnadozie was in phenomenal form in between the sticks for Paris FC in their clash with local giants and table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain.

Nnadozie made a series of saves to keep the scores level before ultimately being beaten in the 55th minute. Even afterwards, she continued to keep her team in the game and command her area well from crosses.

Paris FC end the year third in the French Division 1 Féminine. They will face Stade de Reims in the Coupe de France Féminine round of 32 on January 7.

9. Refiloe Jane, Sassuolo

Jane has been an ever-present force in midfield for Sassuolo since joining from AC Milan ahead of this season.

Having started all 12 of their Serie A matches in this campaign, she is rewarded for her consistency with a place in our top 10 this month.

Jane's only goal of the campaign was in September against AC Milan, but in December, she played the entirety of her team's two matches against Parma and Milan, helping her team clinch a draw in the former of the two fixtures.

Having been the star of Banyana Banyana's AWCON triumph, she deserves to be remembered as one of the best African footballers of the year.

10. Ajara Nchout Njoya, Inter Milan

Nchout Njoya has had to be content to let Inter Milan teammate Tabitha Chawinga take the limelight for most of the season to date. However, she has also played her part from a team perspective.

Alongside match-winner Chawinga, she was also a starter in the 2-1 win over Pomigliano. Although her goals and assists tally has been diminished since she took on more of a backseat role, she remains an important part of the team.

^ Back to Top ^