US-based Malawian women’s football star Temwa Chawinga yesterday touched new lofty heights when she equalled
lofty heights when she equalled the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) 18-goal all-time scoring record
It was the stuff that dreams are made of when, with just a swing of her leg, she drew first blood for her team Kansas City (KC) Current in their 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville.
In a match monitored on KC Current TV, it took the Scorchers striker just a minute and 10 seconds to match the record set by Australian Sam Kerr in 2019.
The 26-year-old, who boasts the 2023 overall world top scorer, ran behind Louisville’s defence and got on the end
teammate after scoring the historic goal
of Debinha’s pass inside the penalty box to coolly slot it past the helpless visitors’ goalkeeper
The forward nearly set the record on multiple occasions, including hitting the post in the 10th minute.
In an interview yesterday, Temwa said she was thrilled to match Kerr’s record.
She said: “I am very excited to match the record, now let’s see if I can surpass it.
“Credit should go to my teammates, they have played a big role to help achieve this and without them, I couldn’t have done it. It’s all about team work.”
Temwa is now five goals clear of second-placed Barbara Banda of Orlando Pride.
Despite the win, KC Current remain fourth in the 14-team US women’s top flight with 46 points from 23 matches. They were nine points behind leaders Orlando Pride, who had a game in hand before last night’s matches.
KC Current are a point behind second-placed Washington Spirit and Gotham FC, who are third.
The Kansas City-based side already qualified for the national play-offs.
Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonoviski said he had no doubts that Temwa would equal the record.
He was quoted as having said: “It was just a matter of time and with an ounce of luck, she could have set a new one. It was just unfortunate that she couldn’t score one or two more.
“But she will get there. She has a big heart.”
On his team’s victory, the KC Current coach said: “I don’t want to sound unthankful, but we’re still not where I feel we can be.
“I’m happy, we’re getting results, we’re in the playoffs, we’re fighting for home field in the first game, but I think we’re still in the learning stage… I’m happy with where we’re at, but I’m excited for the future.”
Vanessa DiBernardo scored the second goal for Kansas from a direct free kick in the 86th minute for Kansas City’s second goal.
“She’s so dangerous offensively, but she works so hard defensively as well,,” DiBernardo was quoted as having said about Temwa after the match. “I don’t know if she gets enough credit for that. She’s grown so much as a player from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. It’s been so fun to watch her play and play with her.”
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adellaide Migogo said she is optimistic that Temwa will break the all-time record.
“She has three more games and I have no doubts that she can score even two or three more. Temwa is superb and we are proud of her. She keeps flying the national flag high,” she said.
