The best in the world play in the NWSL, and that’s proven true again this week when the Confederation of African Football announced the nominees for the annual CAF Awards.

Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji, Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga, and Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda were all nominated for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. This is Chawinga and Banda’s second year being nominated and Kundananji’s first.

After winning the NWSL Championship last season, the wins kept coming for Banda, who was awawrded the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award in 2024. Despite sitting out the second half of the 2025 NWSL season with an injury, the CAF Awards celebrate play from the beginning of the year through October 15. Her eight goals on the season remain tied for fifth best in the league.

Representing Zambia, both Banda and Kundananji scored three goals for their home country in the Women’s African Cup of Nations earlier this year. With four goals and four assists, Kundananji has been a centerpiece for Bay FC’s offense as well.

Last, but certainly not least, 2024 Golden Boot winner and Malawi native Chawinga has earned a nomination for her record-breaking second year with the Current. Chawinga already has 15 goals on the season, the most in the league, and she’s the first player to have back-to-back 15 goal seasons since Sam Kerr (2017-19). With her finesse, Chawinga has had a goal or an assist in more than half of the Current’s games this year.

To be a standout on the KC Current, a team that has smashed record after record this season, is no small feat.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony later in the year, but this trio of African stars have already made their mark on the NWSL.