Malawi have well and truly introduced themselves to the world stage with their maiden outing at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
By edging past ten-time title winners and reigning champions Nigeria in a 3-2 thriller, they have proven they belong on this stage.
While it may come as a surprise for many, it is something that prolific forward Temwa Chawinga has always believed of her country.
Just over a year ago, before their place in the competition had been confirmed, the 27-year-old was steadfast in her belief that they had the talent to make a major tournament.
“We are playing and fighting, putting the effort in and showing our teammates in Malawi that we should work hard. It’s very important for us,” she told Olympics.com in a previous interview.
“We have a lot of talent and [up and coming] players. I think we’re building a good national team in Malawi.”
Temwa’s optimism was born from years of defying the odds, alongside her older sister Tabitha. The pair have forged their own path in football despite being repeatedly told it wasn’t for them. Growing up they trained and played with boys because no pathways for girls existed, even if it meant punishment or disapproval.
When one sister left Malawi to pursue her dream, the other soon followed. Both supported and encouraged the other whether on opposite sides of the world or sharing the pitch together representing their nation.
“It has not been easy to get to where we are today,” Tabitha told Forbes Africa. “Of course, we had to work hard ourselves and we have gained experience and knowledge from playing all over the world.”
Now here they are, taking the Chawinga family name global and putting Malawi on the map one goal at a time. Both sisters were on the scoresheet in that historic victory over the Super Falcons on Tuesday (28 July), a result worthy of the headlines it generated.
With a place at a maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup on the line, this sibling duo – and their teammates – have never been more ready to seize their opportunity.
Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga: The power of family
Sometimes in life, and in this case football, all you need is your sister.
It is a statement that rings true for Temwa and Tabitha, who for the longest time were all the other had when growing up. Playing football as a young girl in rural Malawi was not warmly accepted, not by the community or even their family.
It meant that the other was all they had early doors. For Tabitha in particular, she felt a responsibility to show her sister what was possible.
“As an older sister I did everything possible to ensure my little sister is not only good but the best,” she told The Guardian. “I opened doors, broke barriers, and carried her under my wing. I am super proud of Temwa.”
With no screens to watch women’s football on as a budding youngster, following in Tabitha’s footsteps was all Temwa had. It is a testament to the unwavering belief these sisters instilled within one another.
“Tabitha always told me that I would be better than her. She supported me in every single move that I have made,” Temwa said in the same interview. “We never argued about soccer. I always listened to her.
“It means a lot to me, a lot to Malawi, that we are there now [at WAFCON]. It is not just about me and Tabitha, because we have a lot of talent. We are going there to achieve something.”
Their bond has defined their careers, and now it is shaping a future in which football belongs to young girls in Malawi. The sisters who once could only rely on each other, are now part of a team rewriting the history books in their homeland.
Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga: Inspiring a nation
For all of the notoriety these sisters get, and for good reason given their relentless form on the pitch, their humility shines through. Both on different occasions have recognised the importance of the team and how, in some ways, that is to Malawi’s benefit.
“They know me and Tabitha, but they don’t know our other players or the way we played,” Temwa told ESPN. “If they focus on us, we have other players that can do the job.”
The sentiment is shared, with Tabitha stating in a separate interview: “It is 11 vs 11. On our own, we cannot do anything. We have a goalkeeper, a defence, midfielders, and I am a striker. Everybody has to do their job well, that is how you win.
“It is all about teamwork. We also need a great team spirit and the belief that we can win.”
Such an approach has been the cornerstone of Malawi’s growth as a football nation; a collective strength that has inspired firsts and has them working towards the most prestigious tournament within this sport.
It is often said that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity not so much. With their arrival on this stage, that changes. This is a chance for these players to showcase who they are and what they can do.
“It’s an opportunity for young girls from Malawi to show their skills, so they can go to another country, like European countries, to play there,” Temwa added to ESPN.
“We have a lot of players, good players, who are playing locally back home, so this tournament will show that we can do it.”
Their attitude rejects the notion of being underdogs. This isn’t a team here to make up the numbers. This is a team here to compete and, just as they’ve already demonstrated, to win.
