Who are the greatest hit women in the history of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations
With the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco just around the corner, all eyes are on the continent's biggest stars.
But before the new legends are born, let's take a moment to honour the nine greatest goal scorers to ever grace the Africa Women's Cup of Nations (WAFCON) stage. Those who scored goals and made history.
9. Stella Mbachu - 8 Goals
A Super Falcons stalwart, Stella Mbachu was part of the golden era of Nigerian women's football from the late 90 into the 2000s.
Known for her blistering pace and versatility in attack, Mbachu scored eight goals in multiple WAFCON tournaments, helping Nigeria maintain their continental dominance during her era.
She featured in several editions from the late 1990s to the early 2010s, with her final goal coming in a 2010 group-stage win over Cameroon.
Mbachu made 88 appearances for the national team and scored 20 goals overall. A fan favourite and respected leader, she was also instrumental in mentoring younger stars coming through the ranks at the time.
8. Gloria Chinasa Okoro - 9 Goals
Born in Nigeria but a legend for Equatorial Guinea, Gloria Chinasa Okoro made a bold switch in 2005 and never looked back.
Chinasa was pivotal in helping her adopted nation win the WAFCON titles in 2008 and 2012 and scored nine goals in the tournament's history, two of them coming against her native Nigeria.
Her ability to find the net in crucial games made her a reliable figure in the Equatoguinean attack, and she's remembered for her powerful finishing and relentless work rate.
5. Veronica Phewa - 10 Goals
South Africa's gem from the past, who paved the way for players like Thembi Kgatlana. Veronica Phewa, was a trailblazer.
Making her Banyana Banyana debut at just 14 years old, she went on to become the country's top scorer in WAFCON with 10 goals.
Her most iconic moment came in 2002 when she scored the tournament's first-ever hat-trick in a win over Zimbabwe.
Despite never claiming the top scorer prize, Phewa's consistency and longevity made her a legend. The former Arsenal Ladies forward retired in 2010 before briefly returning in 2014, and she remains a reference point in South African women's football.
5. Cynthia Uwak - 10 Goals
Cynthia Uwak was a powerhouse for the Super Falcons and one of Nigeria's most technically gifted forwards.
She scored six goals at the 2006 WAFCON, finishing just behind Perpetua Nkwocha in the top scorers' chart.
Known for her sharp instincts in front of goal and smart movement, Uwak played her club football across Europe, representing sides in Finland, Germany, and France.
She was also crowned African Women's Footballer of the Year in both 2006 and 2007. Though now rarely mentioned in mainstream discussions, Uwak's contributions remain vital to Nigeria's legacy.
5. Asisat Oshoala - 10 Goals
Asisat Oshoala is one of the most recognisable African footballers today, and her WAFCON resume backs that up.
She made her mark in 2016 with six goals to win the Golden Boot and has since added more goals across subsequent tournaments.
With six African Women Footballer of the Year awards and three WAFCON titles (2014, 2016, 2018), the former Barcelona and now Bay FC star is still an active threat.
3. Mercy Akide-Udoh - 11 Goals
Mercy Akide was more than just a striker; she was the face of African women's football in the early 2000s.
Another key member of Nigeria's all-time golden generation, Akide top-scored in the 2000 WAFCON with seven goals.
Akide also featured prominently in the World Cups and the Olympics, becoming one of the continent's most recognisable players globally.
In 2001, she made history as the first-ever African Women's Footballer of the Year. Her name is still spoken with reverence, and she was deservedly named in the IFFHS All-time African Women's Dream Team in 2021.
3. Desire Oparanozie - 11 Goals
A fierce competitor and a goal poacher, Desire Oparanozie was a fan favourite for Nigeria's Super Falcons.
She led the scoring charts at the 2014 edition with five goals and helped Nigeria clinch four WAFCON titles during her international career.
Despite controversies with the Nigeria Football Federation, including a captaincy dispute and pay-related issues, Oparanozie always delivered on the pitch.
She retired in 2023, bowing out with an impressive WAFCON legacy and a total of 11 goals in the tournament's history.
2. Genoveva Añonman - 14 Goals
Genoveva Añonman is a true Equatoguinean legend. She led her team to two WAFCON titles in 2008 and 2012, finishing top scorer in both editions.
Known for her pace, strength, and deadly accuracy, Añonman was a nightmare for defenders and a symbol of her country's rise in African women's football.
She retired as Equatorial Guinea's all-time top scorer with 24 goals. Her 14 WAFCON goals put her ahead of some of Nigeria's best, firmly establishing her as one of the continent's elite strikers.
1. Perpetua Nkwocha - 34 Goals
There's dominance, and then there's Perpetua Nkwocha. The Nigerian striker stands head and shoulders above the rest with a jaw-dropping 34 WAFCON goals, more than double her closest rival.
Nkwocha holds the record for most goals in a single edition (11 in 2010) and was the top scorer in four different tournaments (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010).
With five WAFCON titles and four African Women Footballer of the Year awards, Nkwocha is, without doubt, the greatest goal scorer in WAFCON history. Her legacy is unmatched, and her records may stand for generations.
Comments