Striker Tabitha Chawinga has made history by scoring in her Uefa Women’s Champions League debut for Paris Saint- Germain (PSG) who drew 1-1 with Manchester United in the first leg of a second qualifying tie at Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester, England, on Tuesday night.
Tabitha was in the starting lineup for the first time since joining on a season-long loan from Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda on September 20 and did not disappoint, scoring in the 54th minute of the match.
This was Tabitha’s second goal for the two-time Uefa Champions League finalists, having netted her first goal in a 1-0 victory over Saint Etienne in a league encounter last week.
However, PSG failed to hold on to the lone goal and allowed United substitute Melvine Malard to score in the 70th minute.
The two teams will meet again in France on Wednesday to determine who goes through.
Tabitha said she was excited with her first goal in the elite European club competition.
“First # UWCL match, first goal, though it was not enough to get us a win. Hopefully, we will win at home,” the Malawi National Women’s Football Team captain wrote on her Facebook page.
The winner of the contest between the two teams will qualify for the group stage.
United are taking part in the competition for the first time after finishing second in the Women’s Super League in England, behind champions Chelsea.
National Women’s Football Association Chairperson Adelaide Migogo said it is pleasing that Tabitha continues to perform for big teams in Europe.
“We are proud of Tabitha’s achievement. Her record keeps getting better all the time. This is what we want. The sky is the limit for her and I am happy with her performance,” Migogo said.
Tabitha has a remarkable record of winning golden boot awards in her debut season in Sweden, China and Italy where she has played and excelled with distinction.
