Malawi women’s football icon Tabitha Chawinga has been named among the nominees for the Best Women’s Player award, part of the annual Globe Soccer awards.
The awards, which are hosted by Dubai Sports Council, are scheduled for December 27, alongside the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference.
Tabitha is among the 20 female nominees that include Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, Grace Geroyo, Aitana Bonmati, Mayra Ramirez, Patricia Guijarro, Manuel Guigliano, Marie- Antonette Katoto, Yui Hasegawa, Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham and Ewa Pajor.
The Malawian is the only African out of 20 female nominees.
- Advertisement -
The top-voted nominees will make the cut for the final list.
- Advertisement -
Tabitha appealed to football fans to vote for her.
“Cast your vote for Tabitha Chawinga as Best Women’s Player,” she wrote on her Facebook page Sunday.
Tabitha, who is playing for French giants Olympique Lyonnais, was the first Malawian to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year.
However, she finished 16th in the world as Bonmati won the accolade.
- Advertisement -
In the men’s category, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are also among the nominees for the Best Men’s Player award.
Meanwhile, Tabitha scored her sixth goal of the season for Lyon in a 11-0 thumping of Saint-Ettienne on Saturday.
She was subbed on in the second half and registered her name on the scoresheet in the 79th minute.
This means Tabitha is tied with Clara Mateo of Paris at six goals each from eight matches this season.
Lyon are top of the log table with 22 points, one point above second-placed Paris Saint Germain.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili praised Tabitha for her exploits.
“I am happy that all the players abroad are performing well for their respective clubs. This is good news for our football,” he said.
Tabitha won the 2023 Player of the Season award while on loan at PSG last season.
On top of that, she won the Golden Boot award after scoring 19 goals.
Since her breakthrough in 2014, Tabitha has won several awards.
She was named Player of the Season twice in China in 2018 and 2019.
