Why are there so few African players in the WSL?

What the report says

BBC Sport examines why the Women’s Super League has only four African players, despite the continent producing several standout performers at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The article says those players are Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton and Nigeria, Aisha Masaka of Brighton and Tanzania, Rofiat Imuran of London City Lionesses and Nigeria, and Ines Belloumou of West Ham and Algeria. It notes that the WSL has attracted major talent from Spain, the United States, Australia and Asia, but African representation remains limited.

The report points to several possible reasons. One is the league’s Governing Body Endorsement system, which uses a points-based visa process that can make signing foreign players harder. Another is competition from the U.S.-based NWSL, which has invested heavily in African stars such as Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda, and Cameroon’s Monique Ngock. BBC Sport also highlights the challenge of scouting across Africa, where coverage of domestic women’s football can be inconsistent.

The piece adds broader context around visibility and scheduling problems in African women’s football, including disruption around the latest Wafcon tournament. It also cites Brighton goalkeeper Nnadozie and Switzerland captain Lia Walti, who said better coverage is needed to help grow the women’s game. The article suggests African football’s talent pipeline is strong, but that exposure, infrastructure and competition from other leagues continue to shape where players move next.