Now I feel normal, says Temwa

Malawi women football export Temwa Chawinga now feels normal after being in camp for almost a month with her teammates at Chinese Women’s Super League club Wuhan FC.

The camping came after the 21-year-old striker endured a 76-day lockdown that Chinese authorities imposed to contain the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in Wuhan City, which was the epicentre of the outbreak mid February.

The Scorchers’ forward signed a two-year deal with the Chinese outfit in January after parting ways with Swedish second-tier league side Kvarmsvedens IK, but her new lease of life suffered a blow as she had to, according to the BBC, ”endure the most extensive and toughest set of restrictions on the planet” for being in Wuhan.

Her new team was the last to start preparations ahead of the 2020 season expected kick off next month as it began its camping on April 25 Suzhou City (over 700 kilometres away from Wuhan), at least a month after fellow outfits had began their tune-ups .

Chawinga said yesterday: “I really was not sure I could be happy like this again after the lockdown. It feels great to live a normal life again and interact with my new teammates.”

“So far, I am gelling well with my teammates, who show me all the love and care. I feel at home and I cannot wait to have my first league match in China next month.”

Temwa also said she is desperate to play against her elder sister Tabitha, who plays for Chinese women’s league champions Jiangsu Suning.

“Apart from that, I would like to chat with her physically because we have not met since the outbreak started; we only interact online. It will be fun to meet her again here in China,” she said.

On her part, Tabitha said she is ready to meet her younger sister both on and off the pitch as they continue their preparations for the new season.