Football
Leonard Solms, Special to ESPN 3y

Gotham FC's Ifeoma Onumonu tops women's power rankings for August

August was a less eventful month than usual for African women plying their trade abroad, as the Spanish Primera Iberdrola has yet to kick off, while the French Division 1 Féminine has only just gotten underway.

Nevertheless, there were notable strides for African internationals in the USA's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), with the action also continuing in Sweden's Damallsvenskan.

With the likes of Thembi Kgatlana, Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala and more likely to feature prominently during September, it is probable that the rankings will look quite different in a month's time.

1. Ifeoma Onumonu, Gotham FC

It was a difficult month for Gotham in the NWSL, losing both their coach and games, and Carli Lloyd's retirement, but Onumonu has been their shining light.

August began with a 1-1 draw with Houston Dash thanks to her late equaliser. After a 1-0 defeat to North Carolina Courage, she was on target again in a 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville.

Onumonu scored both of Gotham's goals in a 3-2 loss to OL Reign and the month ended in further defeats to Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride.

Gotham may have dropped to seventh place in the NWSL (thought the gap from 8th to 3rd is only four points), but Onumonu is the league's joint-top scorer with seven goals.

2. Ode Fulutudilu, Glasgow City

South Africa's Fulutudilu has been on fire for Glasgow City in the SWPL Cup and looks set to play a key role for the club once again in the league, as well as in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Her month began with a bang as she bagged a brace in the 9-0 thrashing of Glasgow Women in the League Cup. In the same tournament, she finished August as she began it, scoring one goal and setting up two in a 6-0 win over Hamilton.

The Banyana international continues to prove that she knows several means of wreaking havoc on opposition defences, whether it be through her lethal shooting, heading ability, or incisive runs down the flanks.

3. Janine van Wyk, Glasgow City

While Fulutudilu banged in the goals at one end for Glasgow City throughout August, Van Wyk was instrumental at the other, with the Scottish champions making a strong statement that they intend to continue business as usual this season.

The highlight of South Africa captain Van Wyk's month was her terrific defensive display in the 1-0 UEFA Women's Champions League win over BIIK Kazygurt.

In the League Cup hammering of Hamilton, she provided the pass which unlocked the defence, allowing Fulutudilu to set up Taylor Fisher for the opening goal.

4. Racheal Kundananji, BIIK Kazygurt

Kundananji bagged a brace for Kazakhstan's BIIK Kazygurt in the 4-0 UEFA Women's Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava, albeit with that result preceding a fiercely fought 1-0 defeat to Glasgow City.

Having starred for Zambia at the Olympics last month, Kundananji is rewarded for her consistency as she keeps her spot in our top 10.

5. Refiloe Jane, AC Milan

As far as Serie A Women action goes, Jane picked up where she left off last season, playing 90 minutes in midfield as AC Milan began the new top flight season with a 4-0 drubbing of Hellas Verona.

In the UEFA Women's Champions League, however, Milan suffered a disappointing exit. After a 2-1 victory over Zürich, they crashed out in a 2-0 loss to Hoffenheim. Jane started both matches.

6. Estelle Johnson, Gotham FC

Cameroon's Johnson has played the full 90 minutes in all of Gotham's last five matches, establishing her place in the heart of their defence despite their poor run of form.

One of the senior players in a squad featuring superstar forward Carli Lloyd, as well as the likes of Ifeoma Onumonu and Jennifer Cudjoe, Johnson will be key in helping new head coach Scott Parkinson transition after he took over from Freya Coombe.

7. Uchenna Kanu, Linköping

Kanu has been one of Africa's brightest active players in recent months, netting six goals in the Damallsvenskan so far this season for Linköping.

She was merely unfortunate last month that the focus was on Zambia after their achievements at the Olympic Games. In August, Kanu did not find the back of the net, hence why she is still not near the top of the rankings.

However, Kanu has nevertheless done more than enough to warrant a place in our top 10 for her steady form in Sweden.

8. Elizabeth Addo, Djurgårdens

Addo starred for Djurgårdens in a 1-0 win over Växjö. A marquee signing from North Carolina Courage for the new Damallsvenskan season, Addo has been a steady presence in midfield.

She has scored one goal in 12 appearances for a side which is showing gradual but sure signs of improvement as the years pass.

Addo has a major task on her hands away from club football as she looks to lead Ghana to victory over fierce rivals Nigeria in Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

9. Linda Motlhalo, Djurgårdens

Banyana Banyana's Motlhalo also continues to be a stable presence in the middle of the park for Djurgårdens as they look to rise up the ranks in a difficult league.

Motlhalo, still only 23 years old, has held her own under difficult circumstances since moving to Sweden a year and a half ago. The 'Randfontein Ronaldinho' has not scored in the league this season, but continues to contribute to the team cause.

10. Portia Boakye, Djurgårdens

Boakye is another Ghana international who has been cutting her teeth at Djurgårdens and played a major role in convincing national team captain Addo to join the club.

A prolific goalscorer with Östersunds, Boakye scored seven goals in 20 appearances during the 2016 Damallsvenskan, but has only scored once in the league since then.

This is an element to her game which she can work on, but like her fellow African stars in the Djurgårdens team, she continues to contribute and started the win over Växjö as her team recovered from defeat to AIK.

^ Back to Top ^