African Women’s Footballer of the Year Shortlist Features Banda and Chawinga Sisters

Zambian striker Barbra Banda and Malawi’s sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga have been named on the five-strong shortlist for the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award. Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda both play their club football in the United States, while Tabitha Chawinga is based in France. Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Morocco forward Sanaa Mssoudy complete the list of contenders. The winner will be announced at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Awards, set to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, 16 December. Temwa Chawinga and Banda were the leading two scorers in America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) this season. The Malawi forward netted 21 goals, while Banda scored 17. However, the Zambian player secured the winning goal in the championship final, guiding Orlando Pride to the NWSL title. She was also voted the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year last week. Lyon’s Tabitha Chawinga led the scoring charts in the French top flight last season, and Paris FC’s Nnadozie was recognized as the division’s best goalkeeper. AS FAR’s Mssoudy won the best player award at the Caf Women’s Champions League, although AS FAR had to settle for a runners-up medal after being defeated by TP Mazembe in the final.