Temwa takes her tally to 10 goals

China-based women’s football star Temwa Chawinga on Sunday took her tally to 10 goals from 10 matches to lead the scorers’ chart in the Chinese Women’s Super League.

The 24-year-old striker drew first blood as her team, Wuhan Jianghan, beat Jiangsu Suning 2-0.

Breathing down her neck is Zambian star striker Barbara Banda who has scored nine goals.

The Scorchers prolific forward was also on target last week in another 2-0 victory over Shanghai.

Wuhan top the table with 28 points from 10 matches, three ahead of second-placed Shanghai.

In an interview yesterday, the former Kvarnsvedens IK player said her focus is to help her team defend the title.

She said: “If I retain the golden boot, it will be a bonus, but first things first. We have to secure the title first and then the personal accolades can come later.

“We have only dropped two points so far following a draw we had in the early stages and we want to maintain the unbeaten run.”

Temwa said the league has now been put on hold to pave the way for the China women’s national football team as well as players from other countries to start preparations for the Women’s World Cup scheduled for July 20 to August 20 in Australia.

“This means we will only conclude our remaining first-round game after the tournament,” she said.

Two months ago, Temwa inspired Wuhan to win the Chinese National Cup in which she emerged the top scorer with six goals.

Last year, she also won the golden boot in both tournaments which Wuhan won.

Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said he is happy that Temwa and her sister Tabitha are enjoying a rich vein of form at their respective clubs.

Tabitha, who is on loan at Italian Women’s Serie A side Inter Milan, is the league’s leading scorer with 22 goals, seven ahead of second-placed Cristina Gireli of Juventus.

Said Fazili: “They have been amazing and we hope they will translate form to the national team as well.” n