Tabitha destined for Italian glory
Italy-based Malawian women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga, who currently tops the Serie A scorers’ chart, could become the first African to win the league’s golden boot.
The Scorchers captain finished the first phase with 16 goals, three above second-placed Cristina Girelli of Juventus going into the final phase which involves the five top teams.
In its first phase summary, allforxi.com reported that since the league’s formation in 1971, no player from outside Europe has managed that feat.
Reads the report in part: “If she maintains that position, she would be the first African player to win the golden boot honours.”
In an interview yesterday, the 26-year-old Inter Milan forward said she learnt about her prospects of making history when she was interviewed by the Italian television station last week.
She said: “Obviously, it would be a big achievement not only for me, but my country as well.
“But I do not want that to distract my focus to help my team finish in the top two so that we qualify for the European Women’s Champions League.”
On how she rates her chances of winning the award, Tabitha said: “The journey is still on because the final phase will be played on round robin and that translates to eight matches for each team.
“So, I think any of the three top scorers have a good chance of winning it. I will keep on working hard and see what will happen in the end.”
Italian Daniela Sabatino of Sassuolo won the award last season with 15 goals while Girelli won it the previous two seasons after netting 16
and 22 goals, respectively.
National Women’s Football Association president Suzgo Ngwira-Simbi said she has no doubts that Tabitha will achieve the feat.
She said: “She is on top of her game now and I don’t see her slowing down. “Tabitha has proved that she is among the best women footballers in the world. She is on fire and we are proud of her exploits.”
Meanwhile, Tabitha was on target on Saturday for Inter as they bowed out of the Coppa Italia Women’s in the semi-finals after going down 3-2 to Juventus on aggregate.
Saturday’s match ended 2-1 after Juventus snatched the winner in extrta time.
Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir scored the opener for Juve in the second minute before Tabitha cancelled the leadin the 83rd minute, but Lineth Beerensteyn claimed the winner for Juve in the 100th minute.
Tabitha is the third leading scorer in the competition with three goals, two behind joint leading scorers Girelli and AC Milan’s Martina Piemonte, and is out of contention for the top scorer award
