Temwa Chawinga Declines Malawi Call-Up Again, Chooses China Trip Instead
Scorchers Star Misses Another International Window Ahead of WAFCON Preparations
Malawi women’s national team forward Temwa Chawinga will not be part of the Scorchers squad for next month’s international friendlies after opting to travel to China for personal business commitments.
The prolific striker has turned down a national team call-up for the second time this year, despite being included in coach Lovemore Fazili’s squad for upcoming matches against Tanzania and Ghana.
Coach Wanted Full-Strength Squad
Fazili had selected Chawinga as part of his plans to assess all available professional players ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco between July 26 and August 16, is a major target for Malawi, and the coaching staff had hoped to have all key players available during the FIFA international window.
Club Had Cleared Player for National Duty
Reports indicate that Chawinga’s club, Kansas City Current, had informed the Football Association of Malawi that the striker would be released for international duty.
The American club was also reportedly prepared to facilitate her travel arrangements to Malawi.
However, Chawinga informed football authorities that she would be unavailable due to a planned trip to China.
House Project Behind China Visit
According to reports, the striker intends to travel to China to purchase materials for a housing project she is developing in Malawi.
Sources indicate that the timing of the trip was influenced by the expiration of her Chinese visa and the availability of a business contact assisting with the purchases.
As a result, joining the national team camp was deemed impossible.
FAM Confirms Absence
Football Association of Malawi operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed that Chawinga would not be joining the squad, although he declined to provide further details regarding the circumstances.
Second National Team Withdrawal This Year
This is not the first time Chawinga has withdrawn from international duty in recent months.
Earlier this year, she also missed the Scorchers’ participation in the Four Nations FIFA Series tournament in Kenya after declining a call-up despite being named in a provisional squad.
Last Appearance Came Against Zambia
The last time Chawinga featured for the Malawi women’s national team was in February 2025 during an international friendly against Zambia women’s national football team.
Her latest absence will be a setback for Malawi as the Scorchers continue preparations for one of the biggest tournaments in their history, with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching.
