The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 began with high hopes for the four African contingents—South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, and Nigeria—that qualified for the Mundial, but unfortunately, they have crashed out at the round of 16.
Banyana Banyana, Atlas Lionesses, and the Super Falcons all made it to the knockout phase, making it the first time in history that three African teams all qualified from the group stage at the same time, with the Copper Queens being the exception as they crashed out in the group phase.
Following the end of the African sides sojourn in Australia and New Zealand, Afrosport takes a look at the eleven standout performers that honed their skills on the biggest of stages.
Goalkeeper
Chiamaka Nndaozie (Nigeria): The Super Falcons shot stopper was arguably the best goalie at the tournament with three clean sheets in four games while playing against four higher-ranked teams, with three of them in the top ten of the FIFA rankings.
The 22-year-old, who was the stand-in captain for Nigeria, weathered any pressure as the leader of a team that had many senior and established stars, wowing the world with a stunning double save to deny Canada’s Christine Sinclair from the penalty spot in Nigeria’s first game. Nnadozie also prevented the second-most goals (59) of any African goalkeeper at the tournament.
Defenders
Michelle Alozie (Nigeria): The darling of many Nigerian fans at the Mundial, Alozie was part of a solid Super Falcons defense that kept three clean sheets at the tournament and conceded just two goals.
The Houston Dash fullback completed the most sprints (202), received only one caution, and played every single minute of Nigeria’s four matches, including the extra time against England in the round of 16.
Ashleigh Plumptre (Nigeria): Another player that made the Super Falcons defence a tough one to break down was Plumptre. The English-born defender, who is currently without a club, though played at left back, shone brightly for Nigeria, and her eye-catching performances will surely have her phone ringing any time soon.
Plumptre completed the most passes (195), attempted the most line breaking passes (96), and completed the most line breaking passes (65) for Nigeria at the Mundial.
Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria): As the most experienced defender in Nigeria’s backline, following Onome Ebi’s relegation to the bench, Ohale led the line well for the West Africans.
No Super Falcons player scored more goals or completed more headed clearances than she did following her strike against Australia. She also helped the Falcons keep three clean sheets, as they conceded just two goals in four games in which she played without receiving a booking.
Hanane Ait El Haj (Morocco): Despite scoring an own goal in their 6-0 thrashing against Germany, Ait El Haj rediscovered herself, helping them to two consecutive clean sheets against South Korea and Colombia as they qualified for the round of 16 in their debut campaign.
The 28-year-old assisted the Atlas Lionesses’ first goal of the tournament and completed the most line-breaking passes for the side (73) as they made history in their maiden appearance at the Women’s World Cup.
Midfielders
Christy Ucheibe (Nigeria): The engine in the middle of the park for the Super Falcons was Ucheibe, who donned jersey No. 10.
She was a standout performer across all four games, playing every single minute and covering every single blade of grass for Nigeria. No African player covered more distance (48.24km) than Ucheibe, who also led everyone at the tournament with successful tackles.
Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco): The captain of the Atlas Lionesses shone for Morocco, leading them with the most crosses (12), most attempts at goal (6), and also the most line-breaking passes (38).
Although the 32-year-old failed to find the back of the net, including missing a penalty against Colombia, she led her team in distance covered (45.62km), second only to Nigeria’s Ucheibe.
Linda Motlhalo (South Africa): South Africa’s No. 10 Motlhalo was on the scoresheet in their 2-2 stalemate against Argentina.
The 25-year-old provided the needed creative spark for Banyana Banyana in midfield, where she applied the most presses for her side (147), having started all their four matches.
Forwards
Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria): Nigeria’s shining light in Australia and New Zealand, Atletico Madrid women’s forward Ajibade made a case for herself as the new star of the Super Falcons.
After missing the opening game against Canada, the 23-year-old was involved in two of Nigeria’s three goals against the Matildas of Australia. Ajibade led all Falcons players in applied pressing and was always ready to receive the passes in between the lines to help them begin an attack.
Hildah Magaia (South Africa): The joint top scorer at last year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Magaia continued from where she stopped, helping Banyana Banyana with two goals and an assist at the Mundial.
She scored South Africa’s first goal of the tournament in their opener against Sweden. Magaia also led her team in sprints (230) and successful crosses (13).
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa): South Africa went as far as the round of 16 thanks to Kgatlana’s productivity at the other end of the pitch. She led her team in goals with two goals and two assists.
Kgatlana’s 20 attempts at goal were the most of any African player at the tournament, and she also departed as the African with the most goal contribution.
