As more UEFA Women’s Champions League action and the NWSL playoffs heat up on ESPN this November, Lyon and Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga is in dazzling form for both club and country — and her sister Temwa is matching the intensity with the Kansas City Current and the Scorchers.
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana keeps delivering for Tigres UANL, while a new goal-scoring force has emerged for Banyana Banyana in Mamelodi Sundowns striker Ronnel Donnelly.
1. Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)
Temwa opened October with a goal in the Current’s 5-1 thrashing of Bay FC. On international duty she then exploded for four goals against Zimbabwe in Olympic qualifying — one in the 2-0 first leg and a hat-trick in the 7-0 second-leg rout.
Back with Kansas City she turned creator, delivering a superb assist for Haley Hopkins’ clincher in a 2-0 win over Utah Royals. After topping the NWSL scoring charts in each of the previous two seasons and finishing joint-fourth this year with 12 goals, Temwa still has a shot at silverware as the Current prepare to face Angel City in the playoffs.
2. Tabitha Chawinga (OL Lyonnes)
The elder Chawinga scored in Lyon’s 5-0 win over Toulouse and racked up three assists across victories against Marseille and Montpellier. The defending French champions remain perfect with seven wins from seven and face Juventus in the Champions League on 11 November after a league clash with Lens.
Tabitha also scored in both legs of Malawi’s 9-0 aggregate Olympic qualifying victory over Zimbabwe. The Scorchers next meet Kenya in the third round in February–March.
3. Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UANL)
Kgatlana stayed sharp with an assist against UNAM, a goal in a 2-2 draw with Monterrey, and a four-contribution masterclass (two goals, two assists) in a 7-0 demolition of Atlas. Although used more sparingly in South Africa’s 7-0 aggregate win over Madagascar, she remains central to Banyana’s 2027 World Cup hopes. South Africa face Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan in the Intercontinental Playoffs preliminary phase later this year.
4. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride)
Banda scored twice as Zambia overturned a deficit against Uganda to win the Olympic qualifying tie 5-3 on aggregate. She also found the net for Orlando in a 2-1 loss to San Diego Wave. With 17 NWSL goals this season she was firmly in Golden Boot contention before U.S. travel restrictions linked to Ebola effectively ended her campaign. Zambia next face Ghana in the third round.
5. Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma)
The Nigerian defender put in solid shifts as Roma beat Lazio, AC Milan and Juventus in Serie A. Despite a 2-0 Champions League loss to Chelsea, they responded with a 2-1 league win over Napoli. Particularly impressive in the Lazio derby (winning all six of her duels), Oladipo now prepares for a league match against Como followed by Champions League action versus Servette.
6. Uchenna Kanu (Cruz Azul)
Kanu scored in both legs of Nigeria’s 7-0 aggregate Olympic qualifying win over Comoros. The Super Falcons now face Morocco in a heavyweight third-round clash, with only two African teams set to reach LA 2028.
7. Fatoumata Kanteh (Sevilla)
The Gambian scored in Sevilla’s 3-3 draw with Badalona — her third Liga F goal in five appearances this season. After a productive 2025-26 campaign, she is on course to surpass last year’s numbers if her current form continues.
8. Toni Payne (Inter Milan)
Payne’s brace for Nigeria against Comoros earns her a place on the list. For Inter she featured in wins over Como and Parma, a draw with Napoli and a loss to Lyon before starting November with a 3-0 victory over Lazio. A massive week awaits: the Milan derby followed by Champions League action against Manchester City.
9. Michelle Alozie (Chicago Stars)
Alozie scored in Nigeria’s first-leg win over Comoros. While Chicago finished bottom of the NWSL table, her versatility across defensive and attacking roles continues to make her a key asset for club and country.
10. Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Playing in a semi-professional league has not stopped Donnelly from producing elite international numbers. She scored five goals across South Africa’s 7-0 aggregate win over Madagascar — a hat-trick in the 4-0 first leg and two more in the 3-0 second leg. Previously more of a creator, October marked her arrival as a genuine goal threat for Banyana Banyana.
The NWSL and UEFA Women’s Champions League continue on ESPN’s channels in Africa (DStv 218 and 219) and on Disney+ in South Africa.