Malawi Women’s iconic football superstar and France-based international treasured export, Tabitha Chawinga has yet again written her name in the annals of history after being named French Professional Football Players Union (UNFP) Women’s Player of the Season Monday night in the French capital, Paris.
This comes barely days after she also basked in glory and glamour as she was named French Division 1 Arkema Female Player of the Season following her impressive performance in her debut season with Paris Saint Germain in France.
The Scorchers captain said in an interview Tuesday from her base in Paris that she felt honoured to share the stage with world cup winning global superstar and fellow Paris Saint Germain (PSG) men’s striker Kylian Mbappe, who won the award in men’s category.
With 18 goals and 10 assists with one more match to go, the 27-year-old Malawi player is leading the individual stats as her club faces Lyon in the Championship final on Friday at the Groupama Stadium.
For her first season in France, Chawinga, who arrived on loan in September at PSG, from China, succeeds Delphine Cascarino, who was crowned last year.
She said: “To win two Player of the Season awards is a big honour that I will cherish for the rest of my lifetime, but to share the stage with Mbappe was extraordinary.
Tabitha received her accolade at a glamourous ceremony held in Paris on Monday night.
From a humble beginning in the northern district of Rumphi to a world superstar, the nimble left-footed Tabitha Chawinga, the Hewe born athlete is living the dream.
There is something special about Tabitha’s football career; it keeps on getting better every year.
This is her second consecutive Player of the Season award, having won it in Italy while playing for Inter Milan on loan from Chinese champions Wuhan Jiangda.
She is the first African footballer, and the only Malawian athlete to achieve that feat in history.
The lethal striker won the award after beating teammate Grace Geroyo and Lindsey Horan of Olympic Lyonnais.
She was involved in 28 goals in the French League.
Tabitha is also geared to win the golden boot award, having netted 18 goals in 19 matches, six above her competitor, Arda Hederberg of Lyon.
She also provided 10 assists for PSG in 19 matches.
This comes just days after the talented striker was also named Player of the Month for March, having also won a similar award in February.
She was also named in the French first eleven of the season.
Tabitha who was at loss for words said: “God has made it possible.”
She added: “I did not expect it. I am really motivated.”
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya also hailed Tabitha.
“Her splendid performances have put Malawi football on the global panorama and demonstrates the potential we have to become a serious football nation,” he said.
Tabitha Chawinga started playing football at the age of five in Rumphi District before joining DD Sunshine, a club based in the country’s capital, Lilongwe, Malawi.
In 2014, Tabitha went to Sweden to play for a year under the colours of a third division team, Krokom Dvärsätts IF before moving to a second division team Kvarnsvedens IK.
During the 2015-2016 season, she finished top scorer in the championship with 43 goals, allowing the Scandinavian club to reach the first national division.
In 2018, the Malawian left-footed striker signed for Jiangsu LFC, in China, where she won as the best player of the season for two years in a row in 2018 and 2019.
In 2021, she signed with Wuhan Jianghan University before being loaned to Inter Milan, in Italy.
During this transalpine visit, the Malawian was crowned top scorer in Women’s Serie A with 23 goals scored.
In September 2023, she joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan for one season.
“To win two Player of the Season awards is a big honour that I will cherish for the rest of the time, but to share the stage with Mbappe was extraordinary.
Tabitha Chawinga
PSG and Scorchers Striker
