Tabitha Chawinga favourite for award in France

Malawi national team captain Tabitha Chawinga has emerged as the favourite for an individual award in the French Division 1 Feminine.

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)-bound star has been nominated for Olympique Lyonnes Women’s team’s player of the month award for February 2026.

C’est maintenant à vous d’élire votre 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐞𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐬 !

Les 3 nommées pour février sont : Tabitha Chawinga, Lily Yohannes et Inès Benyahia. 🏆✨

Rendez-vous sur notre site pour voter 🔗 https://t.co/mQxqXnAcSD pic.twitter.com/BDFOSOP9BU

— OL Lyonnes (@ol__lyonnes) March 5, 2026

The Malawian has been recognised for creating and scoring three goals during the month. Overall, she has netted nine times in 13 games. The 29-year-old was in inspired form in February in the Division 1 Feminine, French Cup and UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Scorchers star is competing for the award alongside team-mates Lily Yohannes and Ines Benyahia with voting via online platform for Lyonnes Women.

How Tabitha Chawinga is faring so far in online poll

As of Thursday, Tabitha was leading with 48 votes trailed by Benyahia’s 41 percent and Yohannes’ 11 percent.

Tabitha, who will lead the Scorchers at the WAFCON finals, has polled 68 votes as of Thursday against 58 for Yohannes and 15 for Benyahia.

The Malawi women’s team captain has since urged her fans to cast their votes in large numbers.

The Ballon d’Or nominee signed for Lyonnes last year at the end of her loan spell with Paris Saint-Germain from then parent club Wuhan FC of China.

Tabitha became the first Malawian to secure a move to Europe when she signed for Swedish side Krokom-Varsatts in 2013 from DD Sunshine based in Lilongwe.

She opened the door for her younger sister Temwa Chawinga who is on the books of Kansas City Current in the United States.