Temwa Chawinga smashes goal drought with stunning NWSL hat-trick

After a sluggish start to the 2026-2027 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) campaign in America because of a long-term injury, Temwa Chawinga has found her scoring boots again.

The Malawian sensation reminded all about her brilliance by scoring a hat trick for Kansas City Current FC as they triumphed 3-0 over Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

It was the first time that the Scorchers forward has scored this NWSL season in seven appearances for City Current.

HATS OFF TO TC6 🐐

What a privilege to be alive at the same time as Temwa Chawinga. pic.twitter.com/uLtv9ISrX8

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 10, 2026

Temwa Chawinga makes a statement

The 27-year-old opened the scoring with a cool finish in the 22nd minute before completing her treble with two more goals in the 47th and 49th minutes of the game.

The 2025 MVP for the American League was eventually substituted late in the second half amid applause from the home crowd.

Gatecrashing NWSL Golden Boot Award race

TEMWA CHAWINGA IS HER 🤩

She secures herself her first hat trick, the first of the KC Current club history, AND first of the 2026 NWSL Season 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ewlUcBrkg1

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 10, 2026

From being almost forgotten at the start of the season, the Malawian has now gate-crashed the NWSL Golden Boot chase. She is five goals behind pacesetter Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations-bound player only returned to action in April 2026, six months after being sidelined by an abductor injury.

She last featured for Malawi during a friendly against Zambia in February 2025.

The result took City Current FC to sixth place in the standings, six points behind leaders Portland Thoms who have played a game more. Chicago Stars languish in second place from the basement with six points from nine matches.