Tabitha seals golden boot in France
France-based Malawian women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga wrapped up her season long romance with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) on Friday night by sealing the golden boot in the Women’s First Division League.
Despite her side going down 2-1 to Olympique Lyonnai, the Scorchers captain netted the consolation goal for the Parisians to take her tally to 19 and seven above second-placed Ada Hegerberg of Lyon.
This is her second successive golden boot in Europe after a similar feat with Italian giants Inter Milan in the Women’s Serie A last year.
She has added the top scorer award to a host of accolades in the French women’s top-flight, including Player of the Season by the league as well as making the best XI.
She has also finished with 10 assists, making her joint top.
Following Friday’s loss, PSG have finished as runners-up in the 12-team league with 50 points, 11 behind champions Lyon.
However, in an interview yesterday, Tabitha said while she was happy to have sealed the golden boot, her priority was to help PSG win a second silverware after winning the Coupé de France.
She said: “Honestly, I am very disappointed to lose in the final. I hate losing and it pains a lot.
“I thought we would revenge the Uefa Women’s Champions League semi-final defeat to the same team.
“Anyway, it’s the end of the journey and it’s time to head back to China where I am still contracted to Wuhan [Jiangda], otherwise I enjoyed my stint here and I am thankful to my teammates, coaches, management and the fans for their support.
“As for the future, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Last year, the 27-year-old became the first African to win the Serie A Femminile golden boot with 23 goals in 20 matches.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adelaide Migogo said Tabitha has left a mark in France.
She said: “I won’t be surprised to hear that they want to sign her permanently. She added value to the team and represented us well.
“We are proud of her achievements and wish her all the best for the future.”
