Malawi women’s football poster girl Tabitha Chawinga has said she is hoping for a good debut season with French champions Olympique Lyonnais.
The striker opened her scoring account for Lyon in a 4-2 victory over Italian side Juventus Women in a pre-season friendly match on Sunday.
Tabitha, who was in the starting line-up for the French champions, also provided an assist during the game.
However, the former DD Sunshine (now Silver Strikers Ladies) forward said there is more to come from her this season.
“Dear Lord! Let the grace to score more rest upon me. My first goal and assist in red and blue,” she wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.
The D1 Arkema is expected to roll into life on September 20.
Tabitha had a good season while on loan at another French club Paris Saint Germain where she was named Player of the Season after outstanding performances.
The 28-year-old also won the Golden Boot award after scoring 19 goals in the league.
Tabitha is the first Malawian player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or award.
She will compete against the best 30 women footballers in the world including Zambian Barbara Banda, Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona), Lucy Bronze (England, Manchester City), Grave Geroyo (France, PSG), Lauren James (England, Chelsea) and Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Lyon).
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said Tabitha and her sister Temwa had set high standards.
“The career of Tabitha and Temwa keeps on getting better. This is very good for Malawi women’s football,’’ he said.
In 2022, she made history as the first African to win the Golden Boot award after scoring 23 goals in 21 matches for Italian side Inter Milan Women.
While in China, Tabitha won several awards including Player of the Season twice and Golden Boot accolade.
Her sister Temwa has also started her career in the United States on a high note, leading the goal scorers’ chart in the National Women’s Super League with 15 goals.
Temwa was the overall top goal scorer in the world when she scored 63 goals for club and country last year.
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