Ministry of Youth and Sports and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) have hailed US-based women’s football star, Temwa Chawinga, despite failing to make the top three of the 2025 Fifa Women’s Best Player Award.
The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday night in Doha, Qatar, where Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won the award for the third consecutive time.
Another Spaniard, Mariona Caldentey, who plays for Arsenal, was the runner-up with Barcelona star Alexia Putellas, also from Spain, coming third.
Temwa was the only African among the 17 nominees for the prestigious award.
But the ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale and FAM first vice-president Christopher Madalitso Kuyera yesterday said Temwa should still walk with her head held high.
Said Mwale: “She carried the expectations of not only her country, Malawi, but also the entire continent and that, in itself, it is a big feat.
time. I Courtesy of Temwa Chawinga
“She should not look down upon herself, rather it should be an inspiration to do better next time.
“This time, it hasn’t gone her way, but we remain optimistic that next time, she will be on the podium and we are proud of her as she continues to inspire many upcoming girl athletes.”
On his part, Kuyera, who is also FAM technical committee chairperson, said just making the nomination list is an achievement in itself.
“She was the only African who made the list and much as we would have wanted her to win the ultimate prize, she has still made us very proud.
“Temwa is testimony that Malawi has potential to make it big in women’s football and we hope for the best in the future.”
In her reaction yesterday, the Kansas City Current and Scorchers prolific forward said she was not disappointed with the outcome.
“Every nomination is a step closer to victory. It is a testament that the football world and the world at large see you,” said Temwa.
“All have to do now is take up my rightful space, topping my own performance till I achieve that milestone. For now, I celebrate the nomination and Fifa’s recognition of Temwa, the African girl child striving for football greatness.”
She also congratulated the winners, saying: “They deserved it. Everything has its own time.”
Paris St-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele was named the Men’s Player-of-the-Year at the awards.
Apart from the Fifa award, Temwa was also nominated for the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or in which she was one of the only two African nominees alongside Zambian, Barbara Banda, who also plays in the US top-flight.
Temwa was also nominated for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Women’s Footballer-of-the-Year Award.
She is also among the nominees for the 16th Global Football Awards Women’s Best Player slated for December 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The 28-year-old shone in her second season in the US Women’s National Soccer League by retaining both the Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards.
Meanwhile, Temwa will today headline the handover of a new piped water system for Kabwinja primary and secondary schools in Dowa District.
Freshwater Project International (FPI) director Heidi Rickels confirmed in a press release that Chawinga, who is FPI ambassador, will join students, educators, community leaders and project partners in celebrating the major milestone for Kabwinja community.
