Nigeria shines as four Super Falcons players earn spots in world best list

Nigeria has strengthened its presence on the global women’s football stage, with four Super Falcons stars earning places in The Guardian’s 2025 list of the world’s top 100 female footballers.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie leads the country’s contingent, returning to the rankings at 65th after an exceptional year for club and country. Her commanding performances for Paris FC last season including 11 clean sheets — paved the way for her move to Brighton & Hove Albion. Nnadozie was central to Nigeria’s Women’s AFCON triumph, where she claimed the award for best goalkeeper, and she also made history as the first African women’s goalkeeper to finish in the top four of the Yashin Trophy voting.

Forward Rasheedat Ajibade enters the list for the first time at 79th. The new PSG signing impressed with Atlético Madrid last season and captained Nigeria to their WAFCON title, earning player of the tournament honours after scoring a crucial semi-final winner.

Two other Nigerians appear in the lower bracket: Gift Monday at 97th, following a lively debut campaign with Washington Spirit in the NWSL, and Esther Okoronkwo at 98th, becoming the first footballer from Canada’s Northern Super League to make the list. Okoronkwo delivered a standout season for AFC Toronto and was one of Nigeria’s key creators during the AFCON, contributing goals, assists and a man-of-the-match display in the final against Morocco.

Nigeria has now featured in every edition of the ranking since 2017, maintaining one of Africa’s most consistent records. While Asisat Oshoala misses out this year, she remains the country’s most decorated representative, having appeared eight times consecutively.

The annual list, produced by The Guardian and curated by a global panel of experts, evaluates a longlist of hundreds of players before finalising the top 100. Other Africans recognised this year include Zambia’s Barbra Banda at 14th and Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak at 74th.