Tabitha named Serie A Player of the Month

Revered Malawian women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga has been named Italian Women’s Serie A Player of the Month for September.

It has been the stuff that dreams are made of for the Inter Milan forward who is enjoying  a rich vein of form in her debut season in one of the world’s top women’s football leagues.

In an interview yesterday, the Scorchers captain said the news came as a surprise.

She said: “Of course, my performance was good in my first month, but honestly I didn’t expect to win the award in my first month because there are many talented players here.

“It is a big motivation for me and I won’t get carried away with this achievement. I will keep on pushing.”

The 26-year-old, who is on loan from Chinese top-flight league side Wuhan Jiangda, said she was informed about the award by the Italian Football Association through her club on Saturday and the official announcement was expected to be made yesterday.

She also thanked her teammates and technical staff for their support.

Said Tabitha: “They have all been good to me and helped me to adapt to the style very quickly.

“Over and above that I thank God almighty for His blessings because without Him, I am nothing.”

Tabitha has scored four goals in four games for Internazionale who top the table with 13 points from five matches, they have only dropped two points.

She is currently third on the scorers chart behind joint leading scorers Cristiana Girelli and Elisa Polli, who have scored five apiece.

Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu said Tabitha is proving that she is a world-class player.

He said: “It is just the beginning of better things to come and Serie A Women must brace for exciting times with Tabitha.

“She will continue to dominate and shine, she has exceptional talent.”

National Women’s Football Association chairperson Suzgo Ngwira said the 26-year-old’s exploits will open the way for other players to clinch deals in Europe.

“Winning the award in only her first month speaks volumes about her potential and we believe that European teams will start following our players,” she said.

At the time she left China, she was the leading scorer with nine goals and she also won the Chinese Women’s Golden Boot Award last season.

Chawinga also won the Women’s Player of the Year in China twice.