Scorchers striker Temwa Chawinga has written her name in the history book after breaking the National Women’s Super League (NWSL) record for most goals in a single season with an astonishing 19 goals for Kansas City Current.
Chawinga scored the only goal of the match as Kansas City defeated Bay FC 1-0 on Sunday morning to secure third place in the play offs.
The record was previously held by Sam Kerr who scored 18 goals for Chicago Red Stars in 2019.
This means Chawinga has added to her haul of broken records in NWSL this season. She set new record after scoring in eight consecutive games and has also scored 13 goals at CPKC Stadium, the most by a player at home.
The Malawian was also the first player to shoot the ball into the river. She was excited about her incredible performance in her debut season in the NWSL. Chawinga told US media on how she scored the historic goal in the 35th minute of the match.
’’I tried my best to put more power through the ball. I scored the goal, so I’m very happy to help my team,’’ Chawinga was quoted as saying on The STAR.
Chawinga, who joined Kansas City on a two-and-half-years after the expiry of her contract with Chinese champions Wuhan Jianghan in January this year, also earned praise from her Coach Vlatko Andonovki.
’’Obviously, it’s an important goal for Temwa(and) it’s important goal for this league,’’ he was quoted as saying.
The 26-year old Malawian is the favourite to win the NWSL Golden Boot Award as she is six goals above Zambian Barbara Banda of Orlando Pride. She has 19 goals and six assists in the current campaign which means she has been directly involved in 25 goals for Kansas City.
Chawinga also had an incredible season last year after she was named the world’s top goal scorer with 63 goals for club and country.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya has congratulated Chawinga for breaking record in US.
“Massive congratulations to Temwa TC6 Chawinga for breaking the USA NWSL single season goal scoring record with an incredible 19 goals.
’’This is a historic achievement not only for Temwa but for Malawi as a nation. She continues to make us proud on the global stage, showing the immense talent that our nation has to offer,’’ said Haiya.
Born in Rumphi, Chawinga is following in the footsteps of her elder sister Tabitha Chawinga, who has broken a lot of records in her football career.
Tabitha, currently playing for French champions Olympic Lyonnais (feminine) has won several accolades in China and most recently last season she won the Player of the Season award while playing for Paris Saint Germaine.
