Leonard Solms, Special to ESPN 9d

Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga wraps up NWSL regular season in rain of records

Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga, the new record holder for goals in an NWSL season, comfortably tops the African Women's Power Rankings again for this past month.

Thembi Kgatlana reminded the world of what she can do while in action for South Africa against England. Meanwhile, the likes of Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday had strong months for Nigeria.

Côte d'Ivoire's Rosemonde Kouassi continues to remind us that the future is bright for Africa in the NWSL, while there were other strong performances at club and international level from players from the continent in October.

Barbra Banda has been left off this month's rankings only on account of it being form-based, but played an instrumental role in the Orlando Pride clinching top spot in the NWSL regular season's standings and remains one of the league's best players.

1. Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current

Malawi's Chawinga continues to smash records in her first NWSL season. She became the league's https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41764147/temwa-chawinga-nwsl-single-season-scoring-record-sam-kerrall-time record scorer in a single season with her winner against Bay FC - the only goal in the game.

With her subsequent goal in the 4-1 win over San Diego Wave, she became the first NWSL player to score against all 13 league opponents in the same season.

With Chawinga's help, the Current not only qualified for the league playoffs but won the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

Chawinga has 20 goals for the league season - beating Sam Kerr's previous record of 18. She scored five goals in four games in all competitions for the Current in October.

2. Rasheedat Ajibade, Atlético Madrid

Ajibade has been in superb form for Atléti this season and carried it over into international duty with Nigeria in October.

The versatile forward/winger scored both goals in the Super Falcons' 2-0 win over Algeria. In addition, she has scored five goals in seven Liga F games this term, setting her up for what could be her most productive season.

3. Gift Monday, UD Tenerife

Like Ajibade, Monday has been clinical this season both at club level in Spain (where she plays for Tenerife) and internationally for Nigeria.

October saw her score the winner in Tenerife's 1-0 win over Real Betis and she has already started November in similar fashion, scoring in a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Monday has four goals in seven Liga F games for Tenerife, who sit sixth in the table.

4. Racheal Kundananji, Bay FC

Even when not in her most clinical form in terms of goals, Kundananji continued to serve Bay in other ways, as great players do.

In October, the Zambia forward assisted both of Bay's goals. The first was scored by Asisat Oshoala in a 5-1 defeat to Gotham FC, while the second was a vital winner from Abby Dahlkemper against North Carolina Courage.

Then, in her first match of November, Kundananji found her scoring boots at the perfect moment, netting twice against Houston Dash to secure a playoff spot for Bay in a 3-2 win. However, that game fell outside the period under consideration for this month's rankings and will be factored in next month.

5. Chiamaka Nnadozie, Paris FC

Nnadozie was at her brilliant best for Paris FC as they shut out defending champions Olympique Lyon in a 0-0 draw.

The Nigeria goalkeeper has made a habit of performing brilliantly in big games and this was no exception. Paris sit third in the Première Ligue.

6. Thembi Kgatlana, Tigres UANL

When England gave the ball away to Thembi Kgatlana in the middle of the park 54 minutes into their clash with Banyana Banyana, there was no turning back.

Kgatlana sped away from the defence and in behind to halve the deficit from 2-0 to 2-1. South Africa were unable to snatch the game from there but gave England a run for their money.

It was a reminder to the world of what the Tigres UANL forward is capable of even against the best teams in the world.

7. Asisat Oshoala, Bay FC

After Kundananji sliced up the left flank for Bay against Gotham, Oshoala timed her run in behind perfectly to score.

She has scored in four of her last eight appearances for the club and with the playoffs against Washington Spirit looming, the Super Falcons star is one of many attacking players who could swing momentum.

8. Edna Imade, Granada

Imade, aged 24, is the latest in a long line of Nigerian forwards to add to the tremendous depth they have in the position.

Eligible to represent the Super Falcons, she has popped onto the radar over the past two seasons. Last season, she scored five Liga F goals for Granada. This term, she already has five in eight appearances.

She scored in a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis in October but after a brace in a 3-0 win over Sevilla in her first November game, it looks likely Imade will climb even higher next month.

9. Tabitha Chawinga, Lyon

Temwa's older sister Tabitha Chawinga has excelled over the past month in the assists column for Lyon, even when not scoring.

Tabitha had a total of three assists in October, with two coming in the 3-0 UEFA Women's Champions League clash with Galatasaray and the other in a 3-0 league win over Dijon.

10. Rosemonde Kouassi, Washington Spirit

Kouassi's smooth introduction to the NWSL continued in October even though there is room for improvement.

She got an assist for Makenna Morris' goal in the 4-1 win over Racing Louisville.

^ Back to Top ^