Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga registered her name on the scoresheet as Inter Women reached the semifinals of Italian Women’s Cup Wednesday.
Inter booked their semifinal spot following a 5-4 win over Sampdoria on post-match penalties after the two teams were tied at 6-6 on aggregate.
However, Inter were brave as they scored their spot kicks whereas Sampdoria missed one. Inter went into the match having won the first leg 3-2 away.
But Sampdoria turned the tables as the match ended 4-3 in regulation time in favour of Sampdoria.
Elisa Polli opened the scoring for Inter Women after five minutes before Tabitha doubled the lead in the 10th minute. Ghoutia Karchouni increased Inter Women’s lead in the 23rd minute of the match.
Tabitha was substituted in the 37th minute of the match.
At the break, Inter Women were leading 3-0. However, after recess, things changed as Sampdoria staged a second half comeback when they scored four goals to force the match into extra time.
Alice Regazzoli pulled a goal back four minutes after recess before Cecilia Prugna scored the second goal in the 52nd minute. Stefania Tarenzi leveled the scores in the 68th minute before Agnese Bonfantini forced the match into extra time.
When contacted Wednesday, Tabitha was relieved.
“It was a tough match but we thank God that we won,” Tabitha said.
In the first leg, Tabitha also scored and provided an assist.
In total, she has scored 15 goals for the club in all competitions.
Tabitha is the leading goal-scorer in Italian Serie A Women with 13 goals.
Inter will face leaders Roma in a league match this weekend.
Malawi National Women’s Football Team Coach Lovemore Fazili hailed Tabitha for her exploits in Italy.
“I am happy with her performance. She is enjoying her game in Italy,” Fazili said.
The Malawian is on loan, until the end of the season, from Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda but she has made a big impact in Italy for Inter Women.
