Luvanga on 'hero' Ronaldo and 'becoming best in Africa'

When the new Saudi Women's Premier League campaign gets underway on Friday, Al-Nassr striker Clara Luvanga will be looking to pick up where she left off.

The 19-year-old Tanzanian opted to swap Spain for Saudi Arabia last October and made an immediate impression - despite her decision raising a few eyebrows, particularly in her homeland.

“It was my best season so far and I’m so happy to have helped the team win their second successive league championship,” Luvanga told BBC Sport Africa.

Just two months before joining Al-Nassr, Luvanga had swapped Yanga Princess in her homeland for Spanish second division side Dux Logrono.

The move to Europe appeared to be the perfect place to develop, but the talented teenager played only six matches, scoring two goals, before Al-Nassr - whose men’s team is home to Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane - swooped to bring her to the Kingdom’s fledgling women's competition.

Her debut campaign brought 11 goals and a league-best seven assists.

In fact, only three players in the division scored more than Luvanga, one of whom was her Algerian team-mate, ex-PSG midfielder Lina Boussaha.

“I had a very good time in Spain but when I got a chance to go play in the Saudi league, I thought it was better to look at other challenges based on my goals."

In 2022-23, the debut Women's Premier League campaign, the club won the championship by three points; last season they cantered to victory with a 10-point cushion.

“It was difficult initially to get used to the environment in Saudi Arabia, including the language, food and many things, but now I’m used to it and everything is going well, and I’m happy.”

Playing for Al-Nassr in the capital Riyadh puts Luvanga in impressive company. Portugal superstar Ronaldo was Saudi Pro League top scorer last season as Nassr finished runners-up to runaway champions Al Hilal.

The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid forward is ably assisted in the team's frontline by Senegal’s all-time leading marksman Mane, while Euro 2024 winner Aymeric Laporte and former Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic are also on the roster.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is my hero in the men’s game,” said Luvanga, who also reveals that Zambia’s Barbra Banda is among her football role models.

“I’ve been lucky enough to see him [Ronaldo] but haven’t yet met Mane - hopefully that can happen soon.”

While Luvanga insists that “discipline” was the most important quality Al-Nassr demonstrated as they defended their title, some of her team-mates have picked out other attributes displayed by the Tanzanian - both on and off the field.

"Clara is a great player and an awesome team-mate,” Saudi Arabia international goalkeeper Sara Khalid Al-Dossary told BBC Sport Africa.

“She's funny, she's a great dancer and she gives so much heart out on the pitch.

“She is her own harshest critic sometimes; she will come in and feel like she could have done more or could have scored more.

“You can see she gets frustrated with herself, but she's a great player who gives her all to the team and to the players around her. I just love her.”

Having already scored success with Al-Nassr last season, Luvanga is now thinking big with her long-term goals.

“Personally, I want to continue to play at a good level at all times and, ultimately, I want to become the best player in Africa and the world,” she says.

Another major tournament on Luvanga’s radar is the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The continental showpiece was due to be held in Morocco this year but after repeated attempts to find room in football's crowded calendar, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed in June that it will be held from July 5-26 next year.

Luvanga, who was top scorer in qualifying for the 2022 Under-17 Women's World Cup with 10 goals, insists she is not phased by the delay.

“I feel pressure but also happiness every time I play for my nation,” Luvanga outlined.

“I don’t feel too disappointed by the rescheduling of Afcon - to be honest it gives me time to prepare better.

“I am really looking forward to having the experience of playing in Afcon and having the opportunity to fight again for my nation.”