MONDAY
Gift Nyakno Monday (born 9 December 2001) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Nigeria national team.
In January 2021, Monday was named the league's Player of the Month for the second consecutive month. In March 2021, Monday scored a brace to lift FC Robo to a 2–1 win over the undefeated Rivers Angels. Monday inspired Bayelsa Queens to winning the 2021–22 league title and also finished as the season's top scorer.
On 25 March 2025, NWSL club Washington Spirit acquired Monday from Tenerife and signed her to a three-year contract with an additional team option for 2028. She made her club debut on 12 April 2025, coming on as a substitute for Gabrielle Carle in a 2–0 win over Racing Louisville FC. One week later, Monday recorded her first NWSL start and goal. On 28 September, Monday registered the fastest NWSL hat-trick from kickoff in league history, netting three goals in under 36 minutes to help Washington beat the Houston Dash.
Monday competed at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France. In 2019, she captained the national team to its first gold medal in 12 years at the African Games after defeating Cameroon 3–1 on penalties. In February 2021, Monday was named to the senior national team squad ahead of the 2021 Turkish Women's Cup. She was part of the team that won the championship and was the first African team to do so. She scored the eighth goal in the team's 9–0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
On 16 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Monday was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics as an unrolled alternate player.
2025
Acquired by Washington Spirit to a three-year contract.
36mins
Time taken by Monday to score a hat trick, helping Washington beat the Houston Dash.
STATS
- 4times lagos state FA champions.
- 1time runner-up National FA cup.
- Champion of the Obaseki football tournament.
- 2times highest goal scorer in the Nigeria women football league.
- 2022 super6 champion, highest goal scorer, POTM, MVP of the tournament.
- 2024/2025 POTMonth (udtenerife)
- 2025, Championship runner-up (NWSL)
GOALS &
ASSISTS
2022/2024
28 Games
6 Goals
1 Assist.
UD Tenerife
2022/2024
19 Games
10 Goals
3 Assist.
UD Tenerife
2025
10 Goals
2 Assist.
-
Washington Spirit
Nigerian striker Gift Monday scores fastest NWSL hat trick, helping Spirit clinch playoff spot
Washington Spirit forward Gift Monday scored the fastest hat trick from the start of a match in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) on Sunday, commemorating each goal with one of her signature jovial celebrations
“I can never run out of celebrations,” the 23-year-old striker said following the Spirit’s win. “I have a constant one, but I love to dance, so there’s always a new step.
The Nigerian international’s first hat trick with the club helped the No. 2-ranked Spirit defeat the No. 10 Houston Dash 4-0 and clinch a spot in the postseason.
Two Washington Spirit Players Called Up to Nigeria Women’s National Team.
Deborah Abiodun, Gift Monday and Super Falcons to take on Cameroon in pre-WAFCON friendlies
Washington, D.C. (02/19/2026) – Washington Spirit midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Gift Monday have been called up to the Nigeria Women’s National Team for the federation’s upcoming friendlies against Cameroon, the Nigeria Football Federation announced today. The side will visit Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital city, for both friendlies.
Abiodun made her debut for the Nigeria senior team in September 2022 and has since competed with the side at...
Nigerian striker Gift Monday scores fastest NWSL hat trick, helping Spirit clinch playoff spot
Washington Spirit forward Gift Monday has been recalled to Nigeria's Super Falcons squad for a pair of friendlies against Cameroon, ending her controversial absence from the roster
Head coach Justin Madugu named Monday in a 25-player squad Wednesday for the two-match series against Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses in Yaoundé, scheduled for February 28 and March 3
Both games will serve as preparation for the 13th Women's Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, where the four semi-finalists
The logo is constructed from the initials of Monday Gift, stylized through a series of sharp, geometric angles that communicate strength, focus, and technical mastery. Rather than using soft curves, the deliberate use of pointed edges and angular lines reflects the precision required in elite football, every pass, tackle, and strike must be calculated and exact. The interlocking structure of the initials creates a compact and balanced form, symbolizing discipline and control, qualities that define a player who reads the game intelligently and executes movements with clarity and purpose.
The sharp angles also visually evoke speed and direction. Much like the rapid changes of movement on the pitch, quick turns, explosive sprints, and accurate ball placement. The logo’s edges appear to push forward, suggesting momentum and agility.
This geometric sharpness mirrors the player’s style of play: decisive, accurate, and fast. As a personal emblem, the mark becomes more than initials; it represents a competitive identity built on precision, speed, and accuracy; core attributes that distinguish a high-performing female soccer athlete.
Stylish
Urbane
Suave