China News Service, Beijing, January 31 (Reporter Bian Liqun) 51 goals in 33 games. In his fourth season in China, Temwa won the Women's Super League Golden Boot without any suspense and helped Wuhan Chegujiang. The Chinese women's football team won the 2023 Women's Super League, FA Cup and Championship titles, completing the "Grand Slam" in China.
Not only that, statistics show that, coupled with the 12 goals scored in the national team, the shooter from Malawi scored 63 goals throughout the year and is the female football player with the most goals in the world in 2023.
Temwa (far right) during the game. Image source: Chinese women’s football social media
Some Wuhan fans regard Temwa as the Messi of the team. In addition to her super high goal statistics, she is low-key and down-to-earth.
As for her outstanding performance last season, she just told a reporter from China News Service that this was inseparable from the trust and care of the club's leaders and teammates.
Not long ago, Temwa transferred to the Kansas City Rapids Women's Football Team of the American League. Temwa is very reluctant to leave the Chinese arena that has witnessed her rapid growth. She has already integrated here and struggled for a long time before making a decision. But she thinks she will come back again.
When leaving, Temwa also left a lot of suggestions on the development of Chinese women's football.
Data map: Temwa during the game. Image source: Chinese women’s football social media
beyond sister
When you draw the map to southeastern Africa and see the word "Malawi", you arrive at Temwa's homeland, which is known as the "warm heart of Africa". The long and narrow Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and the most famous attraction in Malawi.
From as far away as Malawi to Sweden and then to China. Temwa followed in the footsteps of her sister Tabitha and landed in the Women's Super League in the 2020 season and joined the Wuhan Women's Football Team.
Temwa got involved in football when he was 8 years old, which was also inspired by his sister Tabitha. Temwa's mother was initially opposed to this path, but as she showed talent and progress, her mother gradually allowed her to pursue what she wanted to do.
Tabitha is one of the best foreign players in the history of the Women's Super League. Now Temwa has surpassed her sister in the Chinese arena - helping the Wuhan Women's Football Team win 7 championship trophies in 4 years.
Temwa (right) with sister Tabitha during the national team game. Image source: Malawi Football Association social media
After winning the Women's Super Golden Boot in the 2022 season, the 25-year-old Temwa broke out in full last season, scoring 30 goals and winning the Women's Super Golden Boot again, and led the team to win the Women's Super League, FA Cup and Championship championships. Season 33 A total of 51 goals were scored in each game.
In the eyes of some Wuhan fans, Temwa is like "Messi" in the team. He has superb shooting skills and is low-key. When the team's defense is tight, she can also step forward as a central defender as a shooter.
Regarding his outstanding performance last season, Temwa still showed his usual low-key and modest attitude: "I am very grateful to the leadership of the club and my teammates for their trust and care in me, which allowed me to win the league championship and the Golden Boot again."
Data map: Temwa during the game. Image source: Chinese women’s football social media
Favorite hot pot
Last season was Temwa’s fourth year in China. In the past four years, she has grown rapidly and won the "Grand Slam". She has also become obsessed with the spicy hot pot, and even has the idea of settling in China and opening a company.
Temwa has fully integrated into life in China. She has a special liking for hot pot, and can even challenge the spicy Chongqing hot pot.
In fact, when she first came to China, Temwa also encountered the problem of language barrier, but the enthusiastic teammates such as Wu Haiyan, Yao Wei, Gu Yasha and others around her often took her out to play together and taught her some Chinese, and they gradually developed. Became good sisters.
"They are usually very concerned about my life in the team. When I return to Malawi, we will often video chat." She said.
Wuhan Chegujiang University women's football team took a group photo before the match.
Talking about the things that impressed him most in China, Temwa believed that it was the way of getting along between people.
"I have played in the Swedish league before. When I came to China, the biggest difference was that people were very enthusiastic towards me and willing to help me. Of course, after I received enthusiastic help, there must also be corresponding rewards, such as as much as possible. Maybe help people who are in trouble.”
Temwa even once considered opening a company in China. "I know that the relationship between China and Malawi is very friendly, so I hope to share some good things from China with people in my motherland, and at the same time, bring some things with Malawian characteristics to China, so that I can It serves as a good trade bridge between China and Malawi."
Temwa. Image source: Wuhan Chegujiang Women’s Football Team
“Will come back”
Unfortunately, Temwa’s story with China has come to an end for now. Not long ago, she moved to the Kansas City Rapids Women's Football Team of the American League. She struggled with this decision for a long time.
However, she still felt that it was time to start the next stage of her football career. While she was still young, she wanted to go out and have a look. In addition, the new salary limit policy of the Women's Super League also made her finally decide to start a new stage.
But Temwa believes that she will return to China one day and can come back to visit her friends and fans who support her at any time.
Temwa joins Kansas City Rapids women's soccer team poster
Temwa is somewhat worried about the current development of the Women's Super League. She admitted that many teams don't seem to have much enthusiasm for investment and development, and they also have little desire for the game, which makes the players a little confused.
"In my home country of Malawi, investment in women's football is very limited, so players with football dreams need to leave their hometown to develop in other countries. When I came to China, I saw high-quality venues, enthusiastic fans and many good things that can support women's football. conditions for development. But it would be quite a pity if the competent authorities cannot manage and coordinate all this well," Temwa said.
Chinese women's football team in the World Cup. Photo by Tomita
During his four years in China, Temwa witnessed the Chinese women's football team reaching the top of Asia, and also witnessed the team's bitter defeats in the World Cup, Olympic preliminaries, and Hangzhou Asian Games.
However, Temwa believes that the Chinese women’s football team still has a bright future. "I think more outstanding players should go to Europe to study abroad and experience the football culture there. However, I hope that while they can improve their football level, they can also get help and support in life. This is crucial for players who are struggling alone. , I feel this deeply.”
In Temwa's view, the Chinese women's football team has many outstanding players. Whether it is her Wuhan women's football teammates or the many opponents encountered in the league, they all have strong competitive strength, which will provide support to the national team.
"In addition, the national team also needs scientific guidance and help so that the entire team can be more cohesive and competitive, so that it can perform freely when facing strong opponents. I hope not to give up any possibility and try our best. We will do our best to make the Chinese women’s football career develop better,” she said. (over)