Relief was the prevalent emotion as Malawi Women’s Football Team captain Tabitha Chawinga banished the demons that have haunted her when she scored her seventh goal of the season Sunday.
Tabitha scored in Olympique Lyonnais 4-0 victory over Racing Club de Strasbourg in the D1 Arkema French League.
It was her first goal in 12 matches for the club in all competitions and also the first this year.
The Scorchers captain netted in the 90th minute after Le Sommer, Renald and Daelle Metchie Dumornay had scored for the French defending champions.
Tabitha, who was part of the Scorchers squad which played two friendly matches against Zambia, said she was delighted to have scored.
“We won 4-0 away to Racing Club de Strasbourg to qualify for the playoffs just after 16 matches played. I scored a fourth goal in a historical 700th match for Lyonnais since [it was] established,” Tabitha wrote on her Facebook page.
Recently, she explained her struggle in front of goal during one of the pre-match conferences while in Zambia.
“I am playing as a winger for Lyon and I am really happy in my new role.
“I am also playing regularly, which shows that the coach trusts me,” she told journalists.
Tabitha is eight goals behind joint leading goal scorers Clara Mateo of Paris FC and her teammate Dumornay.
The Malawian had a good debut season in France last year while playing on loan for Paris Saint-Germain.
She was named Player of the Tournament and also won the golden boot award after scoring 19 goals and making 11 assists.
Additionally, Tabitha was named the seventh best women’s footballer in the world and was ranked 16th during the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards.
Elsewhere, Malawian striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango scored against former employers as Marumo Gallants defeated Orlando Pirates 2-0 at Free State Stadium in the Betway Premiership on Saturday.
It was Mhango’s fourth goal of the season.
In Zimbabwe’s Castle Premier Soccer League, Flames goalkeeper William Thole made a debut for defending champions Simba Bhora in a goal-less stalemate with FC Platinum.
Malawian defender Nixon Nyasulu was in the starting line-up for Platinum whereas compatriots in midfielder Precious Phiri and striker Vincent Nyangulu were on the bench for Platinum.
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