Temwa boost for scorchers

Malawi National Women’s Football Team coach Lovemore Fazili has welcomed US-based star Temwa Chawinga’s return to action as a timely boost for the Scorchers. Temwa was out of action for six months due to an injury and was a doubt for the Scorchers ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals in August. “Hopefully, she will join us for the forthcoming Fifa Women’s Series 2026.

She is a key member of the squad and we can’t wait for her return,” said Fazili. The Scorchers’ vice-captain returned to action for her National Women’s Soccer League side Kansas City (KC) Current on Saturday after being reduced to a side show for nearly six months after tearing muscles in her inner thigh. In highlights monitored on KC’s TV 5, the 27-year old got a standing ovation from KC Current fans who erupted into a huge roar as she walked into the pitch alongside her teammates amid roaring sounds and the Scorchers forward responded with a hearty wave.

The reigning back-to-back National Women’s Soccer League Most Valuable Player and golden boot winner played for 40 minutes before being substituted for Haley Hopkins. She spiced up her return by setting up her teammate Debinha nin the 37th minute for the equaliser as KC Current came from behind to win 2-1. Temwa stylishly flicked the ball behind her for a trailing Debinha to calmly roll the ball into the bottom left corner of the net and to send the game into the break locked at one apiece before Michelle Cooper netted the winner in the 60th minute.

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Prior to the match, KC Current had last three and won once and were 13th in the 16–team league. But yesterday’ win saw them move up four places to ninth. Temwa, who suffered an adductor injury in October last year, could not be reached for comment yesterday, but her club coach Chris Armas said he was excited with her return.

“It is a big relief that she is back. I am very excited so is everyone. You could see the atmosphere around the stadium and it soike vilimes about her importance,” he said. ‘“She made an impact right away, but we need to be cautious in the we use her in the early days.”

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