Leading is her way
Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga has cemented her Golden Boot Award credentials after scoring a brace as Inter Milan Women thrashed rivals’ AC Milan 4-1 in Serie A Feminile League on Saturday. Apart from earning her side Milan bragging rights, Tabitha has enhanced her chances of becoming the first female African to win the golden boot in Serie A Feminile…
Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga has cemented her Golden Boot Award credentials after scoring a brace as Inter Milan Women thrashed rivals’ AC Milan 4-1 in Serie A Feminile League on Saturday.
Apart from earning her side Milan bragging rights, Tabitha has enhanced her chances of becoming the first female African to win the golden boot in Serie A Feminile League
She is the leading goalscorer in this campaign with 12 goals from 11 matches, three above her teammate Elisa Polli.
Additionally, she is having a season of her life as she has provided six assists in this campaign—translating to a goal or assist every 47 minutes.
On Saturday, Ireen Santi opened the scoring for Inter Women in the second minute before Tabitha scored her first of the match in the 15th minute.
However, Martina Piomonte pulled a goal back for the home side in the 32nd minute. Inter Women led 2-1 at the break.
In the second half, Ghoutia Karchouni restored Inter Women’s two-goal cushion seven minutes after recess.
Tabitha completed her brace in the 74th minute of the match.
In an interview yesterday, the Scorchers captain was delighted with her form.
“I thank God for everything. It feels great to score a brace in the Milan derby,” Tabitha said.
It was her second Milan derby since she joined Inter Women on loan from Chinese champions Wuhan Jiangda.
She also scored one goal in her first Milan derby in October last year.
Inter Women have the best Serie A attack, having netted 37 goals, out of which Tabitha has scored 12 goals.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili was also excited with Tabitha’s performance.
“She is always on top of her game,” Fazili said.
Tabitha became the first Malawian female footballer to move to Europe when she signed for Swedish third-tier side Krokom/Dvarsatts in 2014. In her debut season, she scored 39 goals despite joining the league while it was in progress.
National Women’s Football Association Chairperson Suzgo Ngwira heaped praise on the striker.
“She has shown that Malawi has talented women footballers,” Ngwira said.
The Malawian has already won two awards this season.
She was voted as Player of the Month for September and also the African female player based in Europe for the same month.
