Malawi women’s football star Temwa Chawinga scored her 12th goal of the season for Kansas City Current but the club’s 17-match unbeaten run came to a halt following a 1-2 home defeat to Orlando Pride Sunday.
However, it was a show between Chawinga and Zambian Barbara Banda, with each scoring a goal in a top of the table clash in the National Women’s Super League.
Chawinga and Banda are tied on 12 goals in the battle for Golden Boot award in NWSL. Sophia Smith of Portland Thorns is third with 10 goals with 10 matches to go before the play-offs.
According to Kansas’ website, Banda opened the scoring in the 38th minute as she scored her 12th goal of the campaign.
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Chawinga pulled the hosts level with a brilliant individual effort seconds later.
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“The goal put Banda top of NWSL Golden Boot leaderboard, but her stay at the top ended within two minutes, when Rodriguez found Chawinga in midfield. Chawinga, who had her back to goal, turned past a Pride defender and bolted to goal.
“Near the top of Orlando’s penalty area, Chawinga swerved through multiple Orlando defenders before getting a good look at goal. To cap her brilliant individual run, Chawinga rolled a left-footed strike past Orlando’s Anna Moorhouse to equalise the contest in the 39th minute,” the website reports.
Brazilian Marta won the match for Pride from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute.
Chawinga said it was a painful loss.
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“We fought hard but it was not our day. We will bounce back soon,” Chawinga said.
The NSWL will go for recess for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Following the defeat, Kansas are second on the log table with 35 points from 16 matches, three points behind Pride.
