Why the WSL’s African talent pool remains painfully thin

In the packed stadium of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a Getty ImagesImage captured Malawi's Temwa Chawinga weaving past defenders to net five goals and set up two more, a performance that underscored the continent’s talent while the Women’s Super League in England still fields only four African players.

The Women’s Super League is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. Two‑time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas joined London City Lionesses this summer, underscoring Europe’s flood of top talent.

High‑profile foreign stars such as Australia captain Sam Kerr, who made 158 appearances for Chelsea before moving to Gotham, also feature. United States internationals Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma at Chelsea, Emily Fox at Arsenal and Sam Coffey at Manchester City illustrate the league’s global pull, while Japan captain Yui Hasegawa has become a key player for Manchester City.

Current African representation

notes that only four African players currently feature in the WSL. Chiamaka Nnadozie, a goalkeeper for Brighton and Nigeria, is one of them. Aisha Masaka represents Brighton and Tanzania. Rofiat Imuran lines up for London City Lionesses and Nigeria, and Ines Belloumou plays for West Ham and Algeria.

A major barrier for clubs is the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria set out in the league’s registration rules. Foreign players must earn a minimum number of points across five categories, including national‑team caps, Women’s Champions League appearances and the ranking of former clubs. WSL sides also face competition from NWSL clubs that can offer higher wages and transfer fees to African talent.

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North American interest and player moves

The National Women’s Soccer League in the United States has shown huge interest, spending big money on some of the continent’s best players. Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji became the most expensive women’s footballer in 2024 when she joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for £685,000. Her compatriot Barbra Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride, was voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year the same year.

Cameroon’s Wafcon player of the tournament Monique Ngock is at Washington Spirit, where six African internationals currently reside. Player Temwa Chawinga won the NWSL Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards in her first two seasons with Kansas City Current. Her sister, Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga, plays for European giants Lyon and helped her country reach the Wafcon final.

Another major issue is the lack of coverage given to the domestic game in Africa and the logistical problems surrounding Wafcon. The Confederation of African Football named Channel 4 as the UK broadcast partner, yet no matches were shown live in the opening round because an agreement had not been formally reached. The tournament was postponed just 12 days before its scheduled kickoff in Morocco and eventually took place three months later.

Switzerland captain Lia Walti, who signed for Brighton this summer, told that globally coverage of women’s football has room for improvement. “I think you have to bring the game to the people… In a lot of other countries I think they have bad coverage,” she said.

Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie told in October that her Ballon d’Or nomination made a big impact in Africa and put the spotlight on the continent’s talent. “We have so many good players and they just need the opportunity to show what they can really do,” she added, concluding that “Women’s football is rising and Africa shouldn’t be left behind.”