The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has been electrified by a wave of African brilliance — and Bay FC’s Asisat Oshoala says this is just the beginning.
In an interview with ESPN, the Nigerian superstar, who made history last season by becoming the first high-profile African to join an NWSL expansion team, credited her fellow African stars for revolutionizing the league’s quality.
“The African players have actually raised the bar in this league. We have a lot of talent that have come here,” Oshoala declared.
“We have Chawinga, Rachael, Barbra, and some other players. What they have been able to do is amazing.”
Oshoala’s comments come on the heels of a historic season: Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda shattered goal-scoring records, with Banda eventually lifting the Championship trophy with Orlando Pride.
The “African invasion” has not slowed. Players like Gift Monday (Washington Spirit) and Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (San Diego Wave) are the latest to join the growing ranks.
“It shows you the amount of impact that the African players here have had that now more are coming in,” Oshoala said, warning opponents that “we just keep getting better and better.”
Despite Bay FC’s current ninth-place standing, Oshoala remains focused:
“My target is to help my team pick up from where we left off last year by making the playoffs — and this time, winning a playoff game.”
From Lagos to Florida, Africa’s finest are leaving no doubt: the NWSL will never be the same again.
