Temwa happy with defensive role

China-based Malawian female football star Temwa Chawinga says she is adapting to playing as a defender.

The 23-year-old striker, whose position is a striker, has been used as a defender by her Chinese Women’s Superleague side Wuhan Jiangda because some of their defenders are nursing injuries.

She said: “We were faced with a crisis when some of our key defenders sustained injuries at the start of the season and since then, I am being used as a defender on a regular basis.

“I have not struggled in anyway and I am now getting used. It is one of the things you expect as a player.”

Temwa has scored three goals so far this season, the latest coming on Sunday in her team’s eighth successive victory, when she netted the first in Wuhan’s 3-2 win over Shanghai.

She said: “I played as a striker in this game because one of the defenders has now recovered and it felt good to get on the score sheet again.

“But the coach feels I am an all-rounder and even when we have all the defenders available, I will still be playing in defence in some games, especially against opponents that have pacy attackers.”

Wuhan have 24 points having won all their games and Temwa’s sister Tabitha leads the scorers chart with six goals.

Scorchers coach McNelbert Kazuwa said he is not surprised that Temwa is being used as a defender because she is an all-rounder. “Even in the national team, we sometimes switch her to either a defending or attacking midfielder because she can play in any position. She has exceptional talents,” he said.