Italy-based Malawi women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga continues to shine brightly as she is the only African to make the grade in goal.com’s 20 best players’ list in Europe for the 2022/23 season.

In a list dominated by England, France and Spain-based players, the Scorchers captain is only one of the two players from the Italian Serie A to make the list. The other is Roma’s Valentina Giacinti.

Tabitha: I deserved better

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati tops the list followed by Alex Papp of Wolfsburg.

In an interview yesterday, the 26-year-old forward said while she respects the publication’s ratings, she has reservations with her 17th position.

She said: “Obviously, they might have looked at other factors such as the player’s impact on the team. We finished fifth, which they surely considered, but still more I deserved better.

“Nevertheless, just making the list and being the only African is, in itself, a big honour.”

Reads part of goal.com’s assessment of Tabitha: “With 26 goals in 27 games in Italy this season, Tabitha Chawinga’s first campaign in Europe since 2017 was an electric one.

“The Malawi international arrived in Italy after a spell in China and quickly helped Inter take a step forward in their journey.

“What was particularly impressive is how frequently she netted against the teams at the top of the table, with no one bettering her return of seven goals in Serie A’s Championship round.

“There are still areas for growth within the team, but with Chawinga leading the line, there can be huge hope for Inter’s future prospects and chances of competing for silverware soon.”

Tabitha, who was on a season-long loan from Chinese top-flight league side Wuhan Jiangham, won the Serie A Golden Boot to become the first African to achieve that feat.

She has become one of the most-sought-after players in Europe with top teams from England, Spain and France chasing after her signature.

Some of the teams that are interested are English Women’s champions Chelsea, PSG of France and Espanyol of Spain.

But in an earlier interview, Tabitha said she needs more time to ponder on her future.

She has won the golden boot in three different countries namely, Sweden, China and now Italy. Twice this season, she was named the best African Player of the Month in Europe by international cable sports channel ESPN.

The post Tabitha only African in Goal’s top 20 first appeared on The Nation Online.