Top African Female Footballers Making Global Waves

African female football players are becoming more and more prominent on the international football scene, mainly due to their extraordinary skill, tenacity, and willpower, which is a driving force in leading their national teams.

These athletes have achieved historic victories and record-breaking transfers, elevating the game and inspiring young girls across the continent.

Sport Blot discusses the African female footballers who are currently making waves and impacting the game worldwide.

5. Ajara Nchout Njoya – Cameroon's Prolific Striker

We cannot forget Ajara Nchout, who has delivered outstanding performances for both club and country and her incredible goal in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup against New Zealand.

The Cameroonian professional football player has played for some renowned top-level teams like Atlético Madrid in Spain and Inter Milan in Italy. Some of her wins include the Norwegian Women’s Cup and Supercopa de España Femenina. She received a nomination for the FIFA Puskás Award in 2019.

Nchout's importance in Cameroon’s national squad cannot be understated, scoring 15 crucial goals for her national team as of May 2025. She also has 77 goals in her club career.

4. Thembi Kgatlana – South Africa's Dynamic Forward

South African women’s football cannot be discussed without pointing out Thembi Kgatlana’s impact on the game. Her impact has also extended to top countries like China, Spain and the United States and mainly, she is known for her speed and agility.

It is safe to say that Kgatlana is one of Africa’s best and most reputable forwards, evident by her incredible performance at the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations, when she won Player of the Tournament.

She also won the COSAFA Women's Championship in 2017 and has quite a number of individual accolades in her cabinet, including the CAF African Women's Footballer of the Year, CAF Goal of the Year, CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations Top Scorer and Best Player, COSAFA Women's Championship Player of the Tournament, and was featured on Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list in 2023.

As of May 2025, Thembi Kgatlana has scored 43 club career goals and 32 international goals.

3. Racheal Kundananji – Africa's Most Expensive Female Player

In the world of football, Racheal Kundananji's ascent has been nothing short of spectacular. She transferred to Bay FC in 2024 for an incredible $788,000. This made her the most expensive female football player in the world. 

Rachael Kundananji rose swiftly to fame in the world of football, and one of her most significant and most talked-about achievements is becoming the most expensive female football player in the world following her $788,000 transfer to Bay FC.

She has showcased her goal-scoring prowess on so many occasions on the pitch, including her 25 goals in 23 games record for Madrid CFF.

Rachael has been recognised as the GOAL50 Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2023 and Best Goal Trophy at the Mundo Deportivo Awards in the same year.

The Zambian professional player has scored a total of 75 club career goals and 26 goals in 26 appearances for her national team.

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2. Barbra Banda – Zambia's Record-Breaking Forward

With her swift rise to prominence, Barbra Banda is now one of Africa's most powerful forwards. She received international recognition for her incredible performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she scored consecutive hat-tricks. 

Barbara Banda has stepped her way to swift prominence as one of Africa’s most powerful forwards. Banda scored consecutive hat-tricks at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, garnering further international recognition for herself.

The 25-year-old Zambian striker is the first African woman to be voted into the FIFPRO Women's World 11. She has also performed exceptionally well for Orlando Pride in the NSWL, gaining recognition for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award.

Banda made news once more in 2024 when she signed a $740,000 contract with the Orlando Pride, making her the second most expensive female football player in the world. 

She is notable for her goal-scoring skills and has topped the scoring chart in different leagues like the Chinese Women's Super League and the COSAFA Women's Championship. Her goal scoring has earned her the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Cup Golden Ball Winner, 2024 NWSL Championship MVP, and amongst the 2024 NWSL Best XI.

The striker has bagged several awards and recognitions, including the African Women's Footballer of the Year award.

Barbra Banda, who currently plays for the Orlando Pride, has scored 57 international goals and 73 goals in her club career.

Banda’s career isn’t without controversy as the star has faced several “misinterpretations’ about her gender. Read Full Details.

1. Asisat Oshoala – Nigeria's Trailblazing Striker

Asisat Oshoala is among the most successful female football players in Africa. She has won several CAF Women's Player of the Year awards and has continuously displayed her skill on the pitch. Oshoala, who played for reputable teams like FC Barcelona Femení, Arsenal and Liverpool, contributed significantly to their accomplishments, including wins in the UEFA Women's Champions League. 

In 2024, the 30-year-old striker became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League three times. She has also achieved other significant feats, like winning the African Women's Footballer of the Year award a record of six times and the Africa Women's Cup of Nations three times, making her the most celebrated African female footballer.

Asisat Oshoala is the first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or Féminin and the first to hit a million followers on Instagram.

Other accomplishments include: becoming the first African woman to win the Primera División's Pichichi Trophy, 2015 FA Women's Cup with Arsenal, two league championships, a cup title with Dalian, 2019–20 Copa de la Reina, and 2019–20 Supercopa de España Femenina, amongst others.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Oshoala a Member of the Order of the Niger in September 2014. She was listed among Forbes' 30 Under 30 in 2021. She is commonly referred to as "Àgba Baller," which translates to "Legendary Footballer" in her native tongue.

The remarkable striker has scored an impressive 159 goals in her club career and 44 goals in her international career as of May 2025. She currently plays for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Bay FC.

Her rise from the streets of Lagos to the highest level of European football is evidence of her talent and commitment.