Work permit delays Temwa’s Swedish deal
National women football team striker Temwa Chawinga’s trip to Swedish top league side Kvarnsvedens IK has hit a hiccup following a delay in obtaining a work permit.
The free-scoring Blantyre Zero forward, who secured an outright deal with the Swedish club two months ago and is set to join her elder sister Tabitha, was expected to leave for Sweden this weekend before the Swedish league’s second-round kicks off on August 15.
However, Zero’s owner, Sadiki Malinga, yesterday said the 16-year-old is still waiting for a permit from the Swedish Embassy in Zimbabwe.
“All the documentation for the player has been completed except the work permit, which we hope would be ready by the end of next week. She is expected to play her debut on August 15 but with such a delay, that might be shifted,” he said.
On her part, Temwa, who will become the country’s third women football player oversees after Tabitha and Austria-based defender Chisomo Kazisonga, said she is not upset with the delay because “as long as the deal is intact, there is nothing to worry about.”
She also described the delay as a blessing in disguise as she hopes to complete her campaign to win the golden boot award in the Presidential Women Football finals at Katoto Secondary School ground in Mzuzu this weekend.
The prolific forward is also on the verge of defending the top-scorers’ accolade in the Southern Region Women Football Association (SRWFA) League, where she currently leads the scorers’ chart with 37 goals from five games; 22 goals ahead of second-placed teammate Mary Chavinda.
While expressing hope that Temwa’s permit would be granted to her soon, National Women Football Association (NWFA) chairperson Severia Chalira said they would also be happy if the net-buster would be available when the national team prepares for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup in Zimbabwe on September 14.
“While we are proud to have her as our third football export overseas, Temwa’s imminent departure would put us in dilemma ahead of the Cosafa contest. We will name the squad after the Presidential finals this weekend and camp training will start on August 21. Therefore, if she leaves for Sweden before that time, we might miss her services,” she said. n
