With this season’s Champions League getting underway this week, Impetus’ Africa Correspondent Emmanuel Faith examines the African stars represented in the competition in 2023/24 (15/11/23).
Above: L-R, Asisat Oshoala takes a selfie with Christy Ucheibe after their group-stage match last season with other members of the Nigerian national team in frame. Photo: X
It’s another exciting season for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and Europe is ready for the group stage action. Having witnessed one of the most exciting qualifying rounds in recent times with spectacular matchups and astonishing results, the world is ready to witness another stellar performance across Europe.
One of the players who hugged the spotlight during the qualifying rounds was Tabitha Chawinga of Paris St. Germain, and this article spotlights other African players you should watch out for.
Christy Ucheibe (Benfica/Nigeria): The sturdy Nigerian midfielder has been a mainstay for Benfica and recently made her 100th appearance for her club. Known for her versatility, Ucheibe is comfortable as a central midfielder, holding midfielder or defensive midfielder. The Portuguese champions are drawn with familiar teams like Rosengård and Barcelona, and if they would break their group stage jinx, then the midfielder has to be at her best.
Tabitha Chawinga (Paris St. Germain/Malawi): The Malawian stole the spotlight in the double-headed match against Manchester United but she isn’t a new name on the European stage. Chawinga who is currently on loan from the Chinese club Wuhan Jiangda, scored 23 goals from 23 appearances last season for Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A.
She also became the first African to be the highest-scoring player in the Italian league. The departure of Kadidiatou Diani to Olympique Lyonnais means we would see a lot more from the attacker, and if there is any African player you should be excited about, it’s Tabitha Chawinga.
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC/Nigeria): Coming off the back of an astonishing World Cup performance, there was no better way for Nnadozie to respond to FIFA’s ignoring her at the recent awards than knocking out Arsenal with her penalty heroics and making spectacular saves to keep Wolfsburg attackers at bay ensuring Paris FC was one of the clubs to watch out for in the group stages this season.
With Paris FC drawn along with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and BK Häcken you can fasten your seatbelt and get ready to watch some outstanding goal-keeping from the Nigerian shot-stopper.
Halimat Ayinde (Rosengård/Nigeria): There are holding midfielders who shield the defence with focus, protect the ball with all their might, and man-mark their opponents in a way that nullifies their attacking threats; this is where Ayinde fits in.
Spotlighted for her sterling performance against England in the recently concluded World Cup, she would be looking to shine her light in Europe when her club lock horns with the biggest and best European midfielders in Barcelona, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Benfica. Rosengård has struggled to make it out of the group stage in recent times and if they would have any chance to make it this time around, Ayinde must deliver her best performances.
Aisha Masaka (BK Häcken/Tanzania): The Tanzanian starlet joined BK Häcken last season and has been a regular part of the squad. She scored 35 league goals in 20 matches in the 2020/2021 season of the Tanzanian Women’s League. While she has had a topsy-turvy start to the season, her five goals in 12 appearances and a brace scored last weekend is a sign that the 20-year-old attacker is ready for the big stage. Is there a bigger stage to shine than the UEFA Women’s Champions League?
Nicole Payne (Paris St. Germain/Nigeria): Nicole Oyeyemisi Payne joined PSG last season and has made two appearances since then. The right-back, who plays alongside her sister in the Nigerian national team, has some strong contenders for her position but has left a good impression anytime she is given the opportunity. With the Parisiens involved in three different competitions, we might see more of Payne in Europe this season.
Marjolen Nekesa (Slavia Prague/Kenya): Piercing through the opposition with zeal and zest, the Kenya attacker who plays as an attacking midfielder or striker is able to tear down any defence with her pace, dribbling skills, and shot power. Currently the joint top-scorer in her league, anyone who thinks Slavia Prague will be a pushover should revisit their thoughts, Nekesa is here, and she is ready to dazzle Europe with her bedazzling talent.
Asisat Oshoala: (Barcelona/Nigeria) – Is there a list of African players in Europe where Oshoala hasn’t featured? Indubitably the most successful African player right now, the Super Falcons striker will be looking forward to repeating last season’s heroics as her team begins their title defence this week. Ranked 20th in the world currently, it is another season for the current CAF footballer of the year to remind Europe of the quality she is able to conjure. Are you ready to watch the agba baller’s magic?
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