Malawi women’s football poster girl Tabitha Chawinga has said she is excited to be nominated for the 2024 Fifa Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
Fifa announced the list of nominees yesterday ahead of the ceremony to be staged next month.
This comes just one week after the Olympique Lyonnais striker was also nominated for the 2024 Caf Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
Tabitha said she was honoured to earn a nomination for the global award.
“As a player, I put my all into all the games. The results speak for themselves. Winning the Player of the Season, top goal scorer in the league and French Cup Arkema best 11 and Uefa best 11 with six goals in my maiden season. I had a wonderful season,” Tabitha said.
The Malawian and Zambian Barbara Banda are the only Africans on the list which comprises 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmat (Barcelona, Spain), Khadja Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City), Lucy Bronze (England, Chelsea) and Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City).
Other nominees are Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns, Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit), Naomi Girma (USA, San Diego Wave), Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars) and Lindsey Horan (USA, Lyon).
Tabitha has also been nominated for the 2024 Dubai Global award.
She finished 16th during the Ballon d’Or award.
However, her sister Temwa Chawinga, who plays for Kansas City Current in USA, has missed out on the nomination, despite having a good season where she smashed several records.
Temwa became the first female player to win the Golden Boot award in USA with 20 goals in a single regular season.
She was recently voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The Kansas forward said she was not bitter.
“It happens in football. I will continue working hard so that I get a nomination next time,” Temwa said.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya hailed Tabitha for her nomination.
“It is not easy to be considered among the best in the world. It speaks volume about her quality,” Haiya said.
National team coaches, captains, journalists and fans have a chance to vote for their preferred nominees.
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