Malawi’s football sensation Temwa “TC6” Chawinga has added another achievement to her growing list of accomplishments, after helping her club Kansas City Current win the 2025 Teal Rising Cup on Wednesday morning.
The American NWSL giants triumphed 2-1 over Brazil’s Corinthians Women in a tightly contested final played at CPKC Stadium in Missouri, USA.
Though Chawinga did not score in the final, she played a crucial role in Kansas City’s attacking build-up and pressing, constantly threatening the Brazilian defense with her pace and skill on the wing.
Kansas City opened the scoring early in the third minute through forward Michelle Cooper, who latched on to a perfectly timed assist from Lo’eau LaBonta to beat the Corinthians goalkeeper.
The second goal came in the 22nd minute when 18-year-old Mary Long scored her first professional goal after being set up brilliantly by Cooper again.
Corinthians managed to pull one back three minutes later through Gabriela Demoner, but Kansas City held firm for the remainder of the match.
The Teal Rising Cup, organised by the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), brought together some of the best women’s football clubs from around the world, including Racing Louisville, Club América from Mexico, and Brazil’s Corinthians.
Kansas City emerged unbeaten in the tournament, having earlier thrashed Club América 4-1 in the group stages.
Haley Hopkins, who scored twice in the opening game, was named Player of the Tournament, while Kansas City goalkeeper Laurel Ivory earned praise for her commanding presence in goal, particularly in the final match where she made several crucial saves.
Temwa has continued her electric form into the 2025 season, already racking up 8 goals and 2 assists in 13 appearances making her among the top scorers in the league.
Current coach Vlatko Andonovski said winning such competitions should help the team push for bigger and more important trophies.
He said: “It helps a lot in preparing for a bigger stage. Our goal is not to stop here. We want to go and win the NWSL; we want to win a Club World Cup. We want to be one of the best in the world, and games like this is what prepares us for our long-term goals.”
Kansas City return to NWSL action riding high momentum while fans anticipate more fireworks from Chawinga.
