Club ownership, primarily dominated by men, is now being explored by some renowned females on the African continent to improve the fortunes of the sport.
This GhanaWeb piece puts the spotlight on the four African women who have owned football clubs
1. Akosua Puni Essien
Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of former Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien, came into the spotlight after purchasing Italian Serie C side Como FC in 2017.
The sale was done after the club went bankrupt, resulting in the team being auctioned for 237,000 euros. The sale made Akosua the first Ghanaian woman to own a European football club.
During her tenure as the owner, the club invested in the first team and youth football but is currently no longer the owner, as of 2025.
Como are now in the Italian Serie A, with former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas leading the team as manager.
2. Temilade Openiyi (Tems)
Multiple award-winning Nigerian artiste Temilade Openiyi, well-known as Tems, was the first African woman to hold a stake in Major League Soccer side San Diego FC in the United States.
The Grammy Award winner’s team made their debut in the 2025 MLS season, hoping to keep up a good performance to remain in the league.
Tems has established herself as one of the best musicians in Africa, having produced songs that top various music platforms, earning her global recognition.
Some of her songs include “Free Mind,” “Wickedest,” and “Love Me Jeje,” and others.
3. Eniola Aluko
Former England women’s footballer who is of Nigerian descent joined the board of FC Como Women, a top-tier women’s club in Italy, in 2024.
She became the first black woman to own a club in Italy, acquiring a major stake in FC Como’s female team.
The 37-year-old announced that she is part of Mercury 13, a $100 million ownership group that secured a majority stake in the club
She has been involved in various sporting activities off the field to contribute her quota after retirement.
4. Dorothy Nneka Ede
Nigerian entrepreneur Dorothy Nneka Ede purchased Portuguese third-division team Lustino Ginasio Clube in 2020.
She stated that this action is part of her commitment to contributing to sports and using it as an opportunity to foster relations between Nigeria and Portugal.
Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Futebol, SAD, also known as Lusitano de Évora, was incorporated as a shareholding firm in 2016.
The club is based in Évora and trace their origins to the senior side of Lusitano Ginásio Clube, established on November 11, 1911.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
