Malawi: Chawinga Makes History By Reaching Ballon d'Or Top 10

What the report says

Malawi international Temwa Chawinga has become the first African woman to finish in the top 10 of the Ballon d'Or Féminin, according to AllAfrica’s republished Capital FM report. The Kansas City Current forward placed 10th in the rankings announced in London, improving on the previous best by an African woman, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, who finished 12th.

The report says Chawinga’s rise has been driven by strong performances for her club in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League and for Malawi’s national team, the Scorchers. It describes her as a leading attacking player and notes that her display at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where she captained Malawi, helped boost her profile on the continental stage.

The milestone is being presented as significant not only for Chawinga personally but also for Malawi and African women’s football more broadly. The article frames her result as evidence that players from the continent are gaining greater recognition among the world’s best, with her career path spanning Malawi, China and the NWSL.

The same awards ceremony also saw Spain’s Alexia Putellas claim her third Ballon d'Or Féminin title. AllAfrica’s source material does not indicate any change in Chawinga’s club or national-team status, but it underscores that her top-10 finish marks a notable breakthrough for an African player in the women’s game.