History maker: Temwa Chawinga is putting Malawi on the women’s football map
The sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga play across the world from one another - one Stateside and one in Europe - but their impact back home in Malawi is as a result of their shared success.
Football
As a young football hopeful, Temwa Chawinga was told that the sport was not for girls.
If she had listened to those words of discouragement, there is a high possibility that she would not be where she is now – making history in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Thankfully for the benefit of the sport, the Kansas City forward was inspired to continue pursuing her dream thanks to her older sister, Tabitha.
20 goals at the time of writing, Chawinga has set a new scoring record in her first season, overtaking Sam Kerr’s tally of 18 which had stood since 2019.
With her 20th of the campaign, coming against San Diego Wave, she also became the first player to score against all 13 opponents in a single term.
A further six assists to her name means she has 26 goal involvements in 25 games, which is an unprecedented feat that has broken new ground in an ever-evolving league.
“My mum stopped Tabitha from playing,” she revealed to SHE Scores Bangers.
“But she continued and I followed in her footsteps – when she would go out to play, I’d go with her.”
It’s therefore no surprise that the 28-year-old is the role model of Temwa, playing her own game across the pond in Europe for French giants Lyon.
The pair are at the height of their game domestically, linking up for Malawi on the international stage.
Chawinga is hopeful that, as a result of their success, the mindset that this sport is not for girls will change, and more talented players will come from Africa and walk in the path they have paved.
Temwa Chawinga: At home in Kansas
This summer, a number of African stars arrived in the NWSL ready to make their mark.
Racheal Kundananji, Asisat Oshoala, and Barbra Banda were the names attracting the hype, the former signing for Bay FC in a deal that saw her become the world’s most expensive player.
But Chawinga’s move went slightly under the radar, despite ending last year as football’s top scorer, men or women, with 63 in all competitions – nine ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
She wasted no time in hitting the ground running, though, and if people weren’t already paying attention, they certainly are now.
Her emphatic form can be chalked down to how easily she has settled into life in Kansas.
“I feel like I’m home,” she told The Star.
“I’m so happy to be here – the people treat me well, I didn’t expect it to be this way here [and] I was so scared to come here, but [when I did] I see things are so different.”
While Temwa is the one making the headlines with her 22 goal involvements so far (16 goals, six assists), she credits her teammates for helping her make the NWSL her own.
“If I don’t have players that help me, I cannot make my name,” she added. “This league is so hard.”
Inspiring the next generation
Temwa believes that she and Tabitha performing at such a high level could encourage clubs to look to the likes of Malawi for emerging talent.
But it’s equally important to change the mindsets of people back home who believe football is a sport solely for boys.
Once that happens, the influx of talented African stars on the world stage will only grow.
“In Malawi, we need to start treating boys and girls the same way,” she said.
“Parents should allow their children to play soccer, explore themselves, and play in another country.
“Back home, we don’t give our children the chance to choose between school and soccer – I want to say to parents, let your children have the choice to play.
“If we change mindsets… a lot of players will start to come out from Africa and go to other countries, like me and my sister.”