Women's football rankings: Oshoala, Kgatlana dominate December
There's a strong French focus in December's Women's Power Rankings, but the two biggest stars for the month are Spain-based.
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There's a strong French focus in December's Women's Power Rankings, but the two biggest stars for the month are Spain-based.
ESPN's African women's power list for October sees Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala at the top, but a number of new names make their debuts.
With most of Europe's big leagues yet to kick off, women's football in China and Scandinavia took top billing in September and Africa's stars shone.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies won the South African women's league without defeat. The next, very uphill, battle is to conquer the CAF Champions League.
While many of the top women's leagues around the world have yet to kick off, Africa was well-represented across Europe and China throughout August.
Germany showed a more attacking game against South Africa, but the number of missed opportunities could be problematic in the knockout stages.
Germany won their Women's World Cup group for the fifth consecutive time and avoided an immediate matchup with the U.S. by routing South Africa 4-0.
China striker Li Ying scored the only goal in a crucial 1-0 victory over South Africa in a women's World Cup Group B clash at the Parc des Princes.
Jennifer Hermoso netted two penalties and substitute Lucia Garcia added a last-minute goal as Spain came from behind to beat South Africa.
South Africa face a tough task to advance from Group B, having been drawn with Germany, Spain and China, but the squad is "always competitive".
South Africa is a long shot to make it out of the group stage, but this is a team that is capable of stringing together spirited runs.
African Women's Footballer of the Year Thembi Kgatlana headlines South Africa's squad for the Women's World Cup in France next month.
Samantha Mewis scored goals in both halves and the U.S. women's team began its World Cup send-off series with a 3-0 victory over South Africa.
South Africa's opening AWCON victory over Nigeria should set the tone for Banyana to qualify for the World Cup, according to Refiloe Jane.
While much of the focus centred on the American imports, a pair of unheralded South Africans stole the show during the W-League's opening weekend.
GROUP A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
Nigeria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
South Korea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
GROUP B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
Germany | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
China | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
South Africa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
GROUP C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
Italy | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 6 |
Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
Brazil | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
Jamaica | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |
GROUP D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
Japan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
Argentina | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
Scotland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
GROUP E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
Canada | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 0 |
GROUP F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
United States | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +18 | 9 |
Sweden | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
Chile | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
Thailand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -19 | 0 |