Malawi Women’s National Football Team striker Tabitha Chawinga believes it is just a matter of time before she rediscovers her scoring form for French side Olympique Lyonnais Feminine.
Tabitha was reacting to her 10-match goal-drought in all competitions this season.
The Malawian made a promising start to her career at Lyon after scoring six goals in eight matches.
But there is a sudden change in her goal- scoring prowess after failing to find the back of the net in 10 matches.
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She last scored in a 11-0 victory over Saint-Etienne in November last year.
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But Tabitha, through manager Kuwala Msolomba, said she was not reading too much into her struggle in front of goal this season.
“Every winner will tell you that one must plan for a whole season. So, until the last match of the season, I am enjoying the game and the wins for my team,” she said.
At this stage, Tabitha is seventh on the top goal scorers chart with six goals, nine goals behind the current leading scorer Clara Mateo of Paris FC.
But Tabitha said she had not thrown in the towel in the golden boot race.
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“I do not put too much pressure on myself. But my goal, as striker, remains to score more goals this season,” she said.
Tabitha had a good debut season in the D1 Arkema French Women’s Football League, having won the golden boot award after scoring 19 goals while playing for Paris Saint Germaine on loan from Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda.
Tabitha said class was permanent while form was temporary.
“Playing for one of the best teams is always competitive but I am not an ordinary player. I am gifted and called to football. I will continue to put in the work,” Tabitha said.
She is also yet to open her scoring account for Lyon in the 2025 Uefa Women’s Champions League.
Last season, she scored six goals for PSG in the Champions League.
One of the local coaches Andrew Chikhosi, in his personal capacity, said Tabitha would soon rediscover her scoring form.
“It is normal in football to go some matches without scoring a goal. She is a top player and will score goals for Lyon,” he said.
The Malawian joined Lyon on a three-year contract.
Tabitha was named as the seventh best Fifa Women’s Player of the Year last season.
Additionally, she was ranked 16 in the world during the 2024 Ballon d’ Or awards.
