Malawi Women’s National Football Team striker Temwa Chawinga, whose first name means ‘Love’ in Tumbuka language, has fallen in love with United States of America (USA) side Kansas City Current after signing a two-year contract.
Surely, her football career keeps on blossoming.
Just a day after being named overall best striker in the world in 2023, having scored 63 goals for club and country, Temwa has written another piece of history.
She is set to become the first Malawian to play in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in USA.
The club announced the signing on the Malawian on Wednesday, when she moved to Kansas on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract with Chinese Women’s Champions Wuhan Jiangda.
“International talent is growing in KC. Welcome to the Heartland, Temwa,” reads a message of the club’s X, formerly Twitter, account.
Temwa, who had a good season in China, scoring 51 goals in a single season, was also linked with several European clubs including Real Madrid but settled for Kansas.
She told the club’s website that she was exited with the new deal.
“This team is world-class in every way, from the facilities to the environment at the club. I am ready to get started and hopefully bring home a championship,” Temwa said.
Temwa, 25, and new teammates are expected to start preparations for the 2024 season later this month in the world’s first stadium purpose-built for women’s professional soccer, CPKC Stadium.
Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski was also excited after signing the 25-year-old speedy forward.
“She is a dynamic player who has shown she can find the goal at every stop along her path. She will be fun to watch,” Andonovski is quoted as saying on the club’s website.
The Malawian helped Wuhan to four straight Chinese women’s championships, having scored 83 goals in 84 matches.
Before moving to China, she scored 55 goals for Kvarnsvedens IK in Sweden between 2017 and 2019.
Temwa also helped the Scorchers win their first ever Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa, having scored nine goals. She was named player of the tournament.
The versatile player won the golden boot at the championship.
Her elder sister Tabitha Chawinga joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan from Wuhan. She has already scored eight goals and provided three assists.