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Oshoala, Kundananji wasted no time settling into NWSL life

Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala has quickly formed a good front partnership with Deyna Castellanos at Bay FC. Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/Getty Images

March saw the NWSL season kick off after an influx of African stars, with several, like Asisat Oshoala and record-breaking Racheal Kundananji, justifying their club's investment by scoring on debut.

However, this month, Tabitha Chawinga tops our rankings after a month to remember with Paris Saint-Germain, as she and her sister Temwa, who started like a house on fire for Kansas City Current, flew the Malawi flag high.

1. Tabitha Chawinga, Paris Saint-Germain

Chawinga scored an incredible 10 goals in seven games throughout March, notably hitting the back of the net home and away in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals against Häcken and bagging a crucial brace against Paris FC to fire PSG into the Coupe de France féminine final.

PSG won the derby cup semi-final on penalties after a 3-3 draw to set up a final date with Fleury 91, who upset Lyon on penalties.

In the UWCL, after disposing of Häcken 5-1, PSG will have their date with Lyon, who beat Benfica 6-2 in the quarter-finals. The winner of the French face-off will face Barcelona or Chelsea in the final.

Chawinga has scored in her last eight appearances in all competitions and is playing her best football as crunch-time approaches.

2. Uchenna Kanu, Racing Louisville FC

Kanu had a difficult season in the last campaign for Racing Louisville, as she failed to find the back of the net in 16 NWSL appearances. This season, the Nigeria international has already scored three times in only three games.

Bev Yanez took over as Racing Louisville's coach from Kim Björgekren after they missed out on the playoffs last season and she has already started Kanu three times, whereas Björgekren only handed her four starts last season.

Kanu got this season off to a strong start with a goal in the 2-2 draw with Orlando Pride. After a 0-0 draw with Houston Dash, she then scored the fastest brace in NWSL history against Portland Thorns. However, the Thorns canceled out the lead and Racing Louisville had to settle for yet another 2-2 draw.

3. Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current

The younger of the two Chawinga sisters in the Malawi national team became the first player from her country to score in the NWSL.

Chawinga capitalized on an assist from Bia Zaneratto to put KC Current 3-1 up against Angel City in a game they ended up winning 4-2.

When she made her debut for the Current against Portland Thorns and assisted Alex Pfeiffer's goal in a 5-4 win, she had already become the first Malawian to play in the league.

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4. Asisat Oshoala, Bay FC

Oshoala scored on debut for new club Bay FC in the 1-0 win over Angel City after signing from Barcelona ahead of this NWSL campaign.

The Super Falcons star also assisted Dorian Bailey's goal against the Washington Spirit in a game which ultimately ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Oshoala joined Bay after struggling for playing time towards the end of her stint with Barcelona and so far, the move has paid off, with her having started three out of three league games for Bay this season and only two for Barça this season before her move.

5. Jermaine Seoposenwe, Monterrey

Seoposenwe continued her solid run of form at Mexico's Monterrey, who she joined from Juárez in a deal which was announced in June.

In March, the Banyana Banyana international scored twice in the 4-1 win over Club Leon and then netted again in the 3-1 win over Club Tijuana.

6. Racheal Kundananji, Bay FC

Kundananji, the world record transfer in women's football, had to wait to make her Bay FC debut as she recovered from a knee injury sustained on international duty with Zambia.

The 23-year-old finally came on as a 62nd minute substitute for Oshoala in Bay's third game of the season at home to Houston Dash and wasted no time getting on the scoresheet.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Kundananji went round the outside of one opponent and chopped inside another before deftly chipping the ball into the bottom corner to equalize.

Ultimately, it was in vain as a late winner from Havana Solaun gave the Dash a 3-2 win. Nevertheless, it was a goal to remember and will likely be the first of many from Kundananji in California.

7. Rosemonde Kouassi, Fleury 91

Ivorian international Kouassi has regained her scoring form since the turn of the year after a difficult start to the season in France.

In March, she scored a brace which handed Fleury a 2-2 draw with Lille. The 22-year-old has scored six goals in 11 appearances in all competitions in 2024 and Fleury will need both her and their new Ghanaian international signing, Evelyn Badu, as they chase a top four position in the league.

8. Thembi Kgatlana, Tigres UANL

Kgatlana scored for UANL in the 2-0 win over Queretaro to take her tally to four goals in nine Liga MX appearances since she joined from Racing Louisville in December.

The South Africa forward has room for improvement still in her strike rate, but has played a key role in firing UANL to top spot in the Clausura, five points ahead of Pachuca.

9. Rasheedat Ajibade, Atlético Madrid

Ajibade scored a hugely important goal on March 30 to close out the month with a 1-0 win over Valencia.

Atléti are chasing third place in the Liga F standings and currently, they are one point behind Levante in the race for the position. Had it not been for Ajibade's first half stoppage time winner, the gap would have been three points.

Levante currently have 43 points, Atléti 42 and city rivals Madrid CFF also 42.

10. Toni Payne, Sevilla

Sevilla, who currently sit seventh in Liga F with 36 points, are not totally out of the hunt for third place either and Nigeria's Toni Payne helped them keep their slim hopes alive with a goal in the 4-2 win over Real Sociedad.

With her younger sister, Nicole Payne, having joined Portland Thorns on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, the Chawinga sisters will likely soon be joined by another duo from the same family in our rankings.