Temwa joins sister Tabitha in Chinese top League
In sister’s footsteps. That’s the story ofTemwa Chawinga who has made a big leap by landing an outright deal with Chinese women’s top-flight football league outfit Wuhan from Swedish second-tier league side Kvarnsvedens IK.
The 21-year-old prolific forward joins her elder sister Tabitha who turns out for Juangsu Suning in China.
Temwa yesterday said she is excited to have completed a one-year deal which has an option for a year’s extension.
“They [Wuhan] were following my performance in the just-ended season and when I got a call that they wanted to offer me a deal, I was delighted.
“The Chinese Women’s League is considered among the top leagues in the world and coming from a second-tier Swedish side is a big step.
“I look forward to playing against my sister. We played in the same team back at home and I fancy this will be an exciting experience,” she said.
Temwa is supposed to leave Malawi this Saturday to start a new lease of life in China.
On her part, Tabitha also said she looks forward to facing her younger sister.
“I am happy for her, but on the pitch it will be serious business as we will be advancing different causes. It is good that she is coming over.
“I am hoping that more promising Malawian players will be signed. It is something that I am trying to work on” she said.
Tabitha denied playing any role in Temwa’s move.
“Her deal was facilitated by her former club’s [Kvarnsvedens IK] boss,” she said.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Suzgo Ngwira described Temwa’s move as good news for Malawi women football.
“She deserves it because she is a good player. Her move will benefit Malawi because the Chinese League is competitive and among the best in the world.
“We are proud of her and this is testimony that we have great women football talent,” she said.
Meanwhile, www.goal.com has listed Temwa among the top five blossoming African players to watch this year.
“The young sensation is an emerging Malawian that teams on the continent will look to contain because of her impressive finishing ability,” reads part of the report.
Temwa shot into the limelight after joining Swedish club Kvarnsvedens IK in 2017, scoring 59 goals in 57 matches. In the just-ended season, she has finished as second top-scorer in the Swedish second-tier league with 33 goals, just a goal shy of the eventual top scorer.
During her maiden continental campaign with Malawi, she scored six goals in four matches and she is joint top scorer to date in the Tokyo 2020 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers.
