Made in Africa: Temwa Chawinga on Barbra Banda’s neck in NWSL Golden Boot race

In a hotly contested America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Golden Boot Award race, Malawian international Temwa Chawinga has closed in on her Zambian counterpart Barbra Banda.

The Scorchers striker struck twice for Kansas City Current FC as they shrugged off Houston Dash with a 3-0 victory at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, 16 May 2026.

The 27-year-old scored in the 16^th and 67^th minutes in between Dash FC’s Jane Campbell’s 14^th minute own goal. The result piled the pressure on Golden Boot pacesetter Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride. Michelle Cooper provided both assists for the Malawian.

Temwa Chawinga scores, Cooper assists

Temwa Chawinga has since taken her tally to five goals in nine NWSL matches, three behind Banda of Orlando Pride FC.

The Copper Queens captain will be in action when Pride FC face Denver Summit FC on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

It is a dramatic resurgence in form for the Malawian who had endured a sluggish start to the 2026 NWSL campaign as she worked her way to full match fitness following her return from injury.

Back to full fitness

Now, the Scorchers stalwart seems to have now shaken off the rustiness as she finally scored a hat trick last weekend in her seventh league appearance.

Temwa Chawinga registered a hat trick for Current FC as they triumphed 3-0 over Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

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 latest victory sees City Current FC still in sixth place in the standings, six points behind leaders San Diego Wave FC who also got their business done on Saturday. The leaders saw off Washington Spirit FC after beating them 2-1.

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