Exclusive: Tabitha Chawinga weighs in on Malawi's WAFCON chance

Tabitha Chawinga - Olympique Lyonnais Féminine.

Tabitha Chawinga (TC) is Malawi's women’s football poster girl and one of Africa’s brightest talents, having delivered the goods for clubs in Sweden, China, Italy, now France, and her country.

Last season, the forward joined French giants Olympique Lyonnais Féminine on a three-year contract at the end of her richly rewarding loan spell with rivals, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Féminine.

The move to Lyon came after the 28-year-old won France’s National Professional Footballers Player-of-the-Year Award for the women’s section, scoring 18 league goals and 10 assists the previous season.

Pan-Africa Football caught up with the striker back home in Malawi’s Scorchers camp before they left for Morocco for a friendly with the Atlas Lionesses on June 19, 2025. The team is preparing for the WAFCON final qualifying round match against Angola in October.

Here is Pan-Africa Football  interview with Tabitha Chawinga:

PAF: How important is the trip to Morocco for a friendly as you prepare for the WAFCON qualifying match against Angola?

Photo Credit - Olympique Lyonnais Féminine.

TC: It is a good idea to prepare against Morocco, as they are among the fastest-growing teams in African women’s football. This is very good exposure, especially for our up-and-coming players to gain the much-needed experience, as we gear up for the big game against Angola.

PAF: You have often cited the team’s failure to qualify for the WAFCON finals and other major tournaments as the reason you haven’t won continental or global awards. Do you think this could finally be the year you make it to the WAFCON finals?

TC: Our preparations are now better. I am sure this will be our year as long as we keep working hard. I think the chances of qualifying for the WAFCON finals are there as long as we keep doing the right things.

PAF: How would you sum up last season — you won the domestic league title with Lyon, but you must be disappointed that you didn’t reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, let alone win it.

TC:  Everything is okay. I’m happy the season ended well, and I was able to achieve what I had expected in my career. We won the league, but fell short in the UEFA Champions League. I think it is good to say ‘thank you’ even when you have failed to show that you are grateful and to receive more blessings.

PAF: Thank you so much!

TC: You are welcome!