Hidden Gems: Chawinga, Jereko, Magaia impress in first season in Kansas City

Kansas City is nearly 9,000 miles away from forward Temwa Chawinga’s home village. It’s over 9,000 from forward Hildah Magaia’s university and a touch over 8,000 miles from where midfielder Jereko started her professional career at Thika Queens FC.

With the addition of Magaia and Jereko this summer, Kansas City has three African-born players on its active roster –– tied for most in the league –– as it continues its quest to become the best women’s football club in the world.

Chawinga, who has taken the NWSL by storm, made history in March when she became the first Malawian international to play in the NWSL. Her goal against Angel City March 30 was the first by a player from Malawi in NWSL history.

Jereko, signed by the club in August, made her NWSL debut on Aug. 25, becoming the first Kenyan player to take the pitch in league history.

And Magaia joins Kansas City’s attack as a history-making striker for South Africa’s national team. She made her Current debut Sept. 1 against the North Carolina Courage.

“It really shows each and every young girl out there in our countries, on our continent, that it is really possible to make it out there if you are willing to go the extra mile, if you are willing to put in the work and believe in yourself more than anything else,” said Magaia.

Chawinga’s electrifying style of play has rocketed her to stardom in Kansas City. Her 17 goals this season has her leading the NWSL Golden Boot race and within striking distance of setting a league record for regular season goals. Chawinga is just one goal away from matching that record.

“To the fans: it means the world that you are coming to support us,” said Chawinga. “Please continue coming to support us each game.”

The striker is in her first year with the Current following four seasons with Chinese club Wuhan Jianghan University, where she guided the club to four straight Chinese Women’s Super League Championships and scored 83 goals in 84 games played.

She broke Kansas City’s record for goals scored in a single season after playing only 15 matches with the club. Against Houston Dash at CPKC Stadium June 28, she scored two goals to surpass the former mark of nine, held by midfielder Debinha.

While the team was in Washington, D.C. to face the Washington Spirit in August, Her Excellency Justice Ambassador Esme Jynet Chombo and the Malawian embassy held a reception to honor Chawinga’s contributions to soccer and celebrate Chawinga’s role as an ambassador for Malawi. The embassy and a contingent of Malawians also cheered on Chawinga during the match.

“When I play, the people at home, they can’t go to the games,” Chawinga said. “So to me, it was so special to see my people come to the game to support me. It gave me more motivation to play a good game.”

Jereko laughs with Chawinga as the pair finish training, a little while after her introductory press conference. Back home in Kenya, she was given the nickname Dogo, which translates in Swahili to “small.” Standing at 5-foot-4, Jereko may be Dogo, but her skills are mighty.

Her first touch in the NWSL was a precision pass in-stride to forward Michelle Cooper, whose header forced a save from Washington’s goalkeeper.

“What we saw (from Jereko) in the last game, the quickness on the ball, the precision on the passes, connection with the players, is hopefully what we can see from her going forward,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski.

After spending the last three seasons in Turkiyë playing for Hakkarigücü Spor, Jereko comes to Kansas City eager to take on the competitive league. She says the competition in the NWSL will motivate her to work even harder.

The captain of the Kenya’s national team, Harambee Starlets, joins Kansas City with nearly ten years of experience in international play.

“It’s special because in our country, we have maybe 50 million Kenyans,” said Jereko. “It’s a big country, and a lot of people want to represent their country, so it’s a big achievement for us.”

Making history for her country is a feat Jereko does not take lightly.

“It is a privilege to play in the NWSL because I’m the first Kenyan to play in the NWSL,” said Jereko. “I’m very happy, and I want to achieve more with this team, for this team.”

Magaia comes to Kansas City as a hero of Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s national team. The forward scored two critical goals against Morocco in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to seal South Africa’s first-ever trophy in the competition. She also won the WAFCON’s Golden Boot Award.

She scored Banyana Banyana’s second-ever FIFA World Cup goal in 2023 against Sweden before scoring in South Africa’s upset win over Italy on the final day of group stage play, clinching a spot in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in South Africa’s history. She will take her finishing ability into Kansas City’s front line.

“I’m hoping to win the championship, and I’m hoping to help the team win, score more goals for the team and be an available player for the team,” said Magaia.

Magaia joins the Current on loan from Liga MX Femenil team Mazatlán, where she joined in January of this year and scored four goals during the 2023-2024 Liga MX Femenil Clausura tournament. She previously played for South Korean club Sejong Sportstoto, where she led the team in goals with nine across 21 matches played, and spent time with Swedish side Morön BK.

“(International competition) really paved the way for me, and so did having the opportunity to play in different countries,” said Magaia. “I played in Sweden, I played in South Korea, and then previously I was in Mexico. That really paved the way for me: the intensity of the game, the competition in each and every team I played for.”

Magaia got her professional start at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), where she juggled playing soccer and her studies. She said she would study for tests for weeks in advance while traveling across the country to play soccer. She graduated from TUT with a diploma in officiating and coaching science and an advanced diploma in business administration.

While playing for TUT’s soccer team, she earned the nickname “Breadwinner,” because she scored a goal and then immediately was subbed in as a goalkeeper, effectively carrying the team to victory.

The Breadwinner will now face the task of representing South Africa in the NWSL. Only three South African players have come before her: Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo and Janine van Wyk. Motlhalo is good friends with Magaia. When Magaia signed with the Current, she spoke with Motlhalo, who currently plays for Racing Louisville FC, asking her what to expect in the league.

“For me, it’s a proud moment, because I know that there’s hundreds and thousands of people back home, and it really feels great,” said Magaia. “I have my back against the wall in a way that I have to make them proud. I have to do my best to be able to make them rally behind me each and every time I play, so it is really a proud moment.”

The three, Jereko, Magaia and Chawinga, have already become fast friends and are excited to see what they can do on the field together. Thousands of miles from their homelands, Chawinga says she appreciates having the connection with her fellow teammates.

“It feels so good, for them being both from Africa. We are so far from home… we miss our parents, we miss our sisters and brothers so bad, but here we are able to see each other, and that makes us more comfortable,” said Chawinga.