Scorchers striker Temwa Chawinga will be the first Malawian player to play in the United States of America (USA), joining other African stars.
Temwa broke records in China, where she was named the overall best striker in the world in 2023 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) after scoring 63 goals for Wuhan Jiangda before moving to the United States of America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side FC Kansas City in January.
NWSL clubs have been busy since the beginning of 2024, with Bay FC signing Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CF for a world-record fee of $787,600.
The club also signed Nigerian and six-time African Player of the Year winner Asisat Oshoala from FC Barcelona.
With two of Africa’s best players set to compete in the same league as Temwa, the Malawian told BolaNews she expects tough competition.
“This means we have a cream in Africa and teams will keep on searching for players from the continent.
“It also means that the competition on this side will be tough….. But I believe God will be on my side so that I can score goals and help my team,” she said in an exclusive interview with BolaNews.
“Kundananji is the best”- Temwa
On Kundananji being the most expensive female player in the world, Temwa says it means she is the best.
“She is my friend; we talked when I was coming to this side. We are yet to meet because we don’t stay in one city but I believe we will meet,” she said.
“[The fact] that she is the most expensive player makes me feel good; that means she is the best. I cannot say I will score more goals than her; that is not the spirit; we are friends and neighbours. We are here to send a message to Africa,” she added.
Meanwhile, another NWSL club, Orlando Pride, is reportedly set to complete the signing of Zambia’s Barbra Banda from Shanghai Shengli.
According to ESPN, she is expected to sign with the NWSL side for a $740,000 transfer fee. The transfer will make her the second-most expensive female player on Earth.
