Malawian Tabitha Chawinga reflects on inspiring Lyonnes’ comeback

Former Inter Milan’s feminine forward Tabitha Chawinga returned to Italy on Wednesday to remind fans of her brilliance in a UEFA Women’s Champions League match against Juventus.

The Malawian inspired OL Lyonnes’ comeback against Juventus in a game that ended three-all.

The French giants seemed to be staring defeat in the face after going to the break trailing 3-0 to the Italian opposition at Pozzo-La Marmora Stadium.

However, just when the fourth match of Women’s Champions League appeared to be a lost cause, the former Inter Milan attacker raised up her hands to spearhead the comeback.

Chiara Beccari opened Juventus’ scoresheet in the 12th minute before the hosts extended the lead 15 minutes later through Michela Cambiaghi with a finish from a tight angle. Tatiana Pinto made it 3-0 eight minutes to the break to leave Lyonnes with a mountain to climb.

How Tabitha stepped up to plate against Juventus

Just when the coach Massimiliano Canzi thought they had the maximum points in the bag, Chawinga sparked the fightback on the hour mark. She zig-zagged her way in Juventus’ box to welcome a well-timed pass and fire hard-and-low to the far right of the hosts’ diving goalkeeper Pauline Peyaurd-Magnin.

Some 19 minutes later, French striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s 79th-minute goal reduced Lyonnes’ deficit before Wendie Renard’s ultimate leveler on the stroke of full time.

Reflecting on her opening goal, the former Inter Milan feminine striker attributed this to Lyonnes’ never-say-die attitude to games.

“Because we are OL Lyonnes, we don’t give up! If scoring goals was an art, then it begins with a beautiful pass and ends with a superb finish; a masterpiece painted by teamwork and perfected in a single moment,” Tabitha wrote on her Facebook page.

Lyonnes have since gone joint top of the 18-member log table with 10 points from four games at par with Chelsea who drew one-all with Barcelona on Thursday. Juventus are placed eighth in the 18-member log table.