February was the last full month without NWSL action before the start of the 2025 season ahead of its return on March 14, but Africa was not short of stars who stood out.
Gift Monday continued her Liga F scoring exploits, with UD Tenerife teammate Rinsola Babajide also getting in on the action. Thembi Kgatlana carried the flag for South Africa, while Racheal Kundananji may not have been in action at club level, but starred for Zambia in two friendlies against Malawi.
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie continued her superb run in between the posts for Paris FC, while Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo returned to Scottish league title chasers Glasgow City from Racing Louisville. In both Europe and North America, African women’s stars continue to play key roles for their teams.
1. Gift Monday, UD Tenerife
Monday scored in a 2-0 win over Sevillla and then a 2-1 victory over Valencia in Liga F. Her six-match scoring streak finally came to an end as Tenerife drew 1-1 to Eibar in their last match of the month.
The Super Falcons forward finished February in third place in the Spanish top scorers’ race, behind only Ewa Pajor and compatriot Edna Imade.
2. Rinsola Babajide, UD Tenerife
Fittingly, in both the wins over Sevilla and Valencia, UD Tenerife’s other goals in addition to Monday’s both came from Rinsola Babajide, who also has experience with the Super Falcons.
Comfortable on the wing or upfront, Babajide played for England U21 while she was at Liverpool. In 2023, she transitioned to the Super Falcons for her senior international football.
Babajide is in her second season at UD Tenerife and her fourth in Spain, having had a stint at Real Betis. This has been her most productive to date and she continues to play a huge role in Tenerife’s bid to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
3. Thembi Kgatlana, Tigres UANL
Kgatlana found her best scoring form in February, netting for Tigres in a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul and crucially, a 5-1 win over rivals Monterrey.
UANL are fifth in the Clausura, 10 points behind leaders Club América with a game in hand. After a shaky start to the season, they appear to be back on track largely thanks to the form of the diminutive Banyana Banyana forward.
4. Jennifer Echegini, Paris Saint-Germain
Echegini had a superb month for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring in the 4-0 win over Le Mans and the 4-1 triumph over international teammate Ifeoma Onumonu’s Montpellier.
The versatile 23-year-old winger burst onto the scene with Juventus last season, scoring 10 Serie A goals in 14 appearances. Echegini now has four Division 1 goals in her first season at PSG.
5. Racheal Kundananji, Bay FC
Kundananji had a superb start to life under new Zambia women’s national team head coach Nora Häuptle, scoring in back-to-back friendlies against Malawi.
The first ended in a 2-0 win, while the second was a 3-2 defeat. Hauptle took responsibility for switching her tactics and allowing Malawi back into the second game, but in both fixtures, Kundananji more than played her part.
6. Toni Payne, Everton
Nigeria playmaker Payne is finding her feet at Everton and provided two assists in a 4-1 win over Leicester City, adding a third for the month in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
The win over Leicester was crucial for Everton, who currently sit ninth in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL).
Seven points clear of 12th-placed Crystal Palace at the time of writing, Brian Sørensen’s side are on course to survive another season.
7. Edna Imade, Granada
February saw Imade score her 12th league goal of the season for Granada as she netted their first goal in a 2-1 comeback win against Espanyol.
The visitors had taken a 30th minute lead before Imade fired Granada level in the 65th. Two minutes later, Ariadna Mingueza scored the winner.
Granada, along with UD Tenerife, are keeping the pressure on Athletic Club and Atlético Madrid in the race for top three positions and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
8. Chinwendu Ihezuo, Pachuca
Ihezuo scored the first goal for Pachuca in their 2-1 win over high-flying Club América. Pachuca, who at the time of writing are two points behind the league leaders with a game in hand, handed América their first defeat of the Clausura campaign.
9.Rasheedat Ajibade, Atletico Madrid
Ajibade broke the deadlock in extra time to help Atléti see off Cacereño 2-0 in the Copa de la Reina.
It was the versatile winger’s seventh goal of the season in all competitions. Her contribution will be vital as the Rojiblancas chase Champions League qualification.
10. Chiamaka Nnadozie, Paris FC
Nnadozie did not concede a single goal in February for Paris FC, who are keeping pace with Paris Saint-Germain in the race for second place in Division 1.
Had Nnadozie had more to do between the sticks in February, she would likely have been higher up the rankings. Nevertheless, the Nigeria goalkeeper was solid when called upon and has not conceded since the December 7 1-1 derby draw against PSG.