AWCON star Thembi Kgatlana beats Oshoala and Ordega to win African Women Player of the Year Award

South Africa's AWCON heroine Christina Thembi Kgatlana has been named African Women's Player of the Year at the awards gala held in Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday. 

Kgatlana was crowned the best women's player in Africa in 2018 after edging out Nigerian duo of Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega.

The South African had a tournament to remember as the Bayana Bayana finished as runners-up at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana and secured a maiden Women's World Cup ticket.

The Houston Dash forward's heroics in Ghana, where she emerged top scorer of the tournament after netting five goals and was named the Most Valuable Player saw her beat three-time winner Oshoala to the crown.

The 22-year-old becomes the second South African to be named as Africa's best after Noko Matlou in 2008.

The crowning of the Kgatlana  has temporarily halted Oshoala's dreams to win the award three times in a row and equal record four-time winner Perpetua Nkwocha.

By Lukman Evergreen Mumin