NWSL: Influx of Africa's best players

In the latest off-season, US women's football saw a major influx of African players, including some of the very best. Bay FC signed Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji for 794,000 euros, making her the most expensive player in the world. The same team also brought in Nigerian Asisat Oshoala, a 7-time African Footballer of the Year and the current holder, and Ghanaian Princess Marfo.

Lucy Rushton, Bay FC's general manager, explained why the club chose Oshoala, a six-time African Footballer of the Year. "Having the opportunity to add a player of Asisat's quality, experience and winning pedigree to our roster is an exciting and important day for the club and the NWSL. She brings a top-class mentality to the pitch, combined with the pace and technical ability to lead the line, while giving the players around her the chance to be creative and thrive in space. Asisat is a proven goalscorer at the highest levels of world football, and she is here to carry on that form with Bay FC."

Also in the NWSL, Orlando Pride signed Zambian star Barbra Banda, who commanded the 2nd-highest transfer fee (680,000 euros). Kansas City Current signed Malawi striker Temwa Chawinga, sister of Tabitha. South African Linda Motlhalo has also returned to the NWSL with Racing Louisville.

Read more on the same subject: PSG: Tabitha Chawinga, potential Ballon d'Or winner for 2023-2024

The players explain why they chose to join the American league

Linda Mothlalo, the Louisville midfielder, spoke about what is drawing players to the league. "The league itself has developed so much and it is so competitive, and it is arguably one of the best leagues in the world. I'm in a team that has a vision and they support women. That's why I'm back in the NWSL."

She also thinks the other players from the continent have joined the American league because it is one of the best in the world. "African players have talent and we are capable of competing anywhere. And it's just to show the world that we can compete wherever we go and we have talent and, as I said, the NWSL is one of the best leagues."

By joining Bay FC, Kundananji became the most expensive player in the world. The former Madrid CFF player spoke about her personal choice. "I don't know what motivated the other players' choice. But for me, I just want to have a new experience and it's my dream to do it in the United States of America," said the player who racked up goals in Spain. The pull of the United States spoke for her.

The financial side also seems to carry great weight in African stars' decision to play in the NWSL. That is what Christopher Atkins, Kundananji's agent, acknowledged in an interview with ESPN. "There is obviously an influx of money on the American side. They signed a television deal worth 60 million dollars a year for the league, which works out at [almost] four and a half million per club just from the television deal, without other sponsorships and so on, so there is a lot of money," he said.

The NWSL compared with Europe

A debate nevertheless arises: the quality of the US women's league compared with the European ones. South African Mothlalo thinks the standards are comparable. "In general, women's football is growing. When I was here in Houston, there was a tournament where the top team from this league played the top team from the European league. North Carolina Courage won that tournament, so that says a lot, but I feel that now the leagues are improving, so it will be really hard to say which league is the best," she said in closing.

The tournament she is referring to is the Women's International Champions Cup, which brings together the best American and European women's clubs.

The tournament was held in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. It featured the 4 best teams from North America and Europe. It was won twice by NWSL clubs (North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns) and twice by Olympique Lyonnais.

#AfriqueAbroad | What a Saturday in the NWSL!

As 🇿🇲 Racheal Kundanaji was scoring in her NWSL debut 🇳🇬 Uchenna Kanu was scoring the fastest brace in NWSL history.

FT: Portland Thorns 2-2 Racing Louisville

[M.Weaver 52', S.Coffey 90'+9 / U.Kanu 3' 6']

POTM: Uchenna Kanu 👏 pic.twitter.com/cFUf9bwZyg

— JWsports1 ⚽️ (@JWsports1) March 31, 2024