Tabitha, Temwa In top three
The Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa’s sheer quality continues to stand out after being named last month’s second and third best African players based overseas by ESPN sports channel.
The channel rates the performance of women footballers and teams worldwide.
Zambia’s Spain-based blossoming forward Rachel Kundananji tops the rankings while reigning women’s African Footballer of the Year, Nigerian Asisat Oshoala, is fourth.
In an interview yesterday, Tabitha, who came tops in the September rankings, said she is motivated by the recognition.
Said the Scorchers captain: “There are many top African women footballers out there and to be named as the second best is encouraging.
“I thank God Almighty for His continued blessings and I will keep on working hard.”
Tabitha has won three Most Valuable Player awards in the Italian Women’s Serie A in which she leads the scorers’ chart with nine goals.
On her part, Temwa also said she was excited.
“The recognition alone means a lot to me because it’s not easy to find yourself among the best, considering the immense talent that Africa has,” she said.
Temwa also won the Chinese Superleague and Chinese FA National Women’s Cup golden boots.
Part of the report by ESPN on the rankings reads: “Racheal Kundananji has seen more game time than most on this list, with Spain’s Primera Iberdrola going ahead at full steam and she has made the most of every minute.
“Kundananji picked up braces in wins over Real Sociedad and Córdoba in November, also notching an assist for Florencia Bonsegundo in the 3-2 defeat to Sporting de Huelva.
“Although she is an established international for Zambia at 22, Kundananji’s impressive career has at times been overshadowed by the larger-than-life presence of her Copper Queens teammate, Barbra Banda.”
On Tabitha, the report says the Inter Milan star stood out for her scoring prowess despite sitting out a good part of the month due to an injury.
“She has now scored nine goals in as many Serie A appearances for Inter this season.
“For this reason, it would not be reasonable to remove her from the power rankings entirely on account of a month in which she had few chances to impress, but delivered when called upon,” reads the report.
On Temwa ESPN says: “Temwa finished the CWSL [Chinese Women’s Super League] season as the top scorer as Wuhan secured their third successive title. She ended the campaign on 10 goals, only narrowly surpassing the eight goals her sister had amassed before departing for Inter Milan.”
And on Oshoala, ESPN says the Nigerian prolific forward is slowly beginning to get back to her best.
“As always, Barcelona look unstoppable in the Primera Iberdrola and not far off from it in the UWCL and Oshoala is beginning to return to her brilliant best after a year plagued by injury.”
