A Historic Hat-Trick
In a remarkable display of skill, Gift Monday, a forward for the Washington Spirit, achieved the fastest hat-trick in the history of the NWSL during her team’s emphatic 4-0 victory over the Houston Dash. This stunning performance has propelled her to the top of the African Women’s Power Rankings, highlighting her form in recent matches. In parallel, her counterpart from Malawi, Temwa Chawinga, continues to impress for Kansas City Current, positioning herself for a potential second consecutive NWSL Golden Boot.
Gift Monday’s Explosive Performance
The 23-year-old Monday found the net three times within an astonishing 18 minutes of match play, a feat that included two goals assisted by teammate Trinity Rodman, and a third that was a rebound from her own header. Her previous outings had seen her play a less prominent role within the Spirit lineup, but her explosive performance against the Dash may signal her rise to a more central role on the team.
Temwa Chawinga’s Consistency
Meanwhile, Chawinga has been in excellent form, netting goals in Kansas City’s recent victories over Bay FC, Seattle Reign, and the Chicago Stars. With an impressive tally of 14 goals this season, she has edged ahead of Esther González of Gotham FC by one goal. The Current have secured the top ranking in the NWSL with a significant lead as they approach the playoffs.
Other Notable Performances
Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji has also left her mark, scoring pivotal goals in September fixtures, including one goal for Bay FC in each of their 1-1 draws against Orlando Pride and Gotham. Despite challenges faced by her team, currently 13th in the league, Kundananji’s contributions suggest a promising future for the club, as she is under contract until 2027, with an option to extend.
From Nigeria, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has made a strong transition to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Women’s Super League, achieving two clean sheets in her first four games and showcasing her shot-stopping prowess with 16 saves, including a recent clean sheet against Everton.
Sister Acts and Rising Stars
The sister act also shines, as Tabitha Chawinga of Lyon has made headlines by leading her team with a goal and an assist in their 6-1 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain. This performance highlights her importance in the team’s quest for the title, especially in a match where Lyon dominated despite a halftime stalemate.
Super Falcons striker Chinwendu Ihezuo has further bolstered her team Pachuca’s title hopes in the Apertura with two crucial goals against Juárez and Monterrey, placing her team in solid contention for the playoff knockout rounds.
In Liga MX Femenil action, Thembi Kgatlana continues to excel with Tigres UANL, having scored twice recently to help maintain her team’s lead in the league standings despite her absence from the national team due to personal reasons.
Ashleigh Plumptre has also been making her mark with Al-Ittihad, providing two assists in their recent match, showcasing her versatility and creative flair both for her club and during the WAFCON.
Rasheedat Ajibade, after a mixed month including a heavy loss to Lyon, continues to demonstrate her talent, contributing to PSG’s successes in both domestic and European competitions with a recent assist to her name.
Conclusion
These achievements underline the growing influence and talent of African women in professional soccer, as they continue to make significant strides on the global stage.
