Everything's nice and sweet
It's been a great week for Africans
It’s been a great week for the Africans.
The week opened with the Malawian attacker, Temwa Chawinga winning a consecutive NWSL Golden Boot, a record only achieved by Sam Kerr.
The 27-year old striker who scored her 25th career NWSL regular-season goal in a 1–0 win over the Orlando Pride on May 16, 2025, became the fastest player to reach that mark (34 games) and sealed it with a sumptuous finish as she wrapped up another NWSL season in style.
There was more to come as 24 hours after, the FIFPRO team of the year (aka #World11) was released and for the first time, two Africans were included in the team as Morroco’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Zambia’s talisman Barbra Banda made the team of the year, the first 11 of the globe as voted by 6,452 footballers across the world.
Barbra Banda’s inclusion might not have been a surprise. There are not a lot of better strikers than the Orlando Pride attacker, and this is her second appearance.
The talking point however is Ghizlane Chebbak, the midfield maestro whose exploits was crucial to her team making consecutive WAFCON finals was surprisingly the third ranked midfielder, ahead of European superstars like Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Khlara Buhl and lots more.
This nomination reinforces how much of talent the Al-Hilal midfielder commands and how widely her skills and abilities are respected and recognised amongst her peers.
The week is wrapping up with glee and glitz as Super Falcons shot-stopper , Chiamaka Nnadozie was nominated as one of the FIFA Goalkeeper of the year while the KC Current striker, Temwa Chawinga makes the list of the FIFA Women best player of the year.
Isn’t everything nice and sweet?
When we published African Women Football Report in 2024, it was themed “Africa Is Rising”, a prophecy of things to come.
It’s our time, we are taking up our place and the world is beginning to recognise the wonders brewed from African’s tea.
Which of these nominations are you excited about the most?
Do share with us below.
Happy Friday, which African player will you be watching this weekend?
Africa has indeed risen!