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Temwa Chawinga nominated for MVP award

Temwa Chawinga nominated for MVP award

Malawi Women’s National Football Team striker Temwa Chawinga has been nominated for the National Women’s Super League (NWSL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

This follows her impressive performance for Kansas City Current in her debut season.

Temwa will compete against Zambian Barbara Banda and Brazilian Marta (both play for Orlando Pride), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) and Sophia Smith of Portland Thorns.

The 26-year-old Malawian has etched her name all over the record books in the US, having won the 2024 NWSL Golden Boot award after scoring 20 goals, the most by a player in a single regular season.

On top of that, she scored in eight straight matches and scored against all the teams since the league expanded to over 10 teams.

Additionally, Temwa led all other finalists with goals from east breaks (five), shooting accuracy, duels (352) and tackles (49). She is the favourite to win the accolade.

Fans have a chance to choose the winner through voting, which closes tomorrow.

Temwa has appealed to fans on social media to vote for her.

“Vote for Temwa as the best of the best. Rank Temwa on number 1,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

Kansas will face Pride in the NWSL playoff semi-finals this Sunday.

Meanwhile, National Women’s Football Association President Adelaide Migogo was optimistic that Temwa would win the award.

“She has done exceptionally well and she deserves to win it,” Migogo said.

Teammates Vanesa DiBernardo and Lo’eau La Bonta have been nominated for the Midfielder of the Year accolade whereas Claire Hutton has been nominated for Rookie of the Year award.

Kansas Coach Vlatko Andonovski has been nominated for the Coach of the Year accolade.