Temwa Chawinga: Beyond…

Limited team forward Temwa Chawinga has set her sights beyond individual accolades, aiming for the one major achievement that has eluded her—an NWSL Championship win.

Despite being awarded league MVP and the Golden Boot in her first two NWSL seasons, the Kansas City Current have struggled to convert their regular-season prowess into Championship success.

Her desire for a Championship win has been fueled by the disappointment of a near miss with Malawi, who secured a place in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final this past July but fell 3-0 to Cameroon.

“Our team understands that we need to make it back to the championship,” Chawinga emphasized to ESPN. “Getting to the final isn’t enough; we want to win. We are dedicating ourselves to rigorous training to be in peak shape. Our goal is to make the playoffs, reach the final, and ultimately claim the title.”

The Current’s history shows how close they have come. In 2022, they reached the NWSL Championship but lost 2-0 to the Portland Thorns. They were semifinalists in Chawinga’s rookie season in 2024, narrowly losing to the eventual champions, Orlando Pride.

The 2025 season seemed promising as Kansas City dominated the regular campaign, concluding with a record of 21-3-2, winning their first NWSL Shield with a league-high 65 points, 21 ahead of second-placed Washington Spirit.

However, disaster struck just before the playoffs when Chawinga, who was leading the league with 15 goals, sustained an adductor injury in the penultimate game against Houston on October 18. She missed the final regular-season match and was unable to participate in the playoffs.

Without their top scorer and missing Michelle Cooper due to injury, the Current was eliminated 2-1 by eighth-seeded Gotham FC in a quarterfinal match.

Chawinga’s injury was severe enough to extend her absence into the 2026 season, amplifying the frustration felt after a campaign marked by dominance but culminating in disappointment.

This season, Chawinga played a key role, claiming her second consecutive Golden Boot with 15 goals, adding to the league-record 20 she netted in 2024, while also becoming the first player in NWSL history to win MVP honors in back-to-back seasons.

Reflecting on her journey from Wuhan Jianghan University in China to the NWSL, she noted, “I initially wanted to see if I could compete at this level. Achieving this much in just two years was beyond my imagination, thanks to the support of my teammates and the club.”

Chawinga made history as the first African-born player to win the NWSL MVP and the first African to earn the Golden Boot. Her tally of 20 goals surpassed Sam Kerr‘s prior record of 18.

Building on her previous success, Chawinga emphasized the importance of inspiring young girls in Africa: “I urge them to chase their dreams and believe in themselves. With the support of my agent, the club, and my belief in my abilities, I achieved these milestones. I’m grateful and eager to accomplish even more.”

Her scoring ability has sparked discussions about her success in a league acknowledged for its competitiveness. However, Chawinga asserts, “It’s a challenging league. My teammates play an integral role in my success. I rely on them to create opportunities for me.”

Even during challenging moments, her teammates uplift her: “When I miss chances, they reassure me that goals will come. Their unwavering belief in me boosts my confidence, which is vital for any striker.”

The team has adapted well to a change in head coaching this year, with Chris Armas taking over duties from Vlatko Andonovski, who remains with the club as the sporting director. This transition has allowed Chawinga to maintain her bond with her former coach while embracing Armas’s leadership.