The first Malawian and African woman to win the golden boot in Italy, Tabitha Chawinga, is expected to arrive in the country this afternoon through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.

The ‘pangolin’ Chawinga, a Malawi National Women’s Football team captain, confirmed the development through a facebook post saying she will land at KIA around 12 O’clock,  

Hundreds of patriotic Malawians, football fans and administrators are expected to accord Chawinga a hero’s welcome.

 “I am touching base tomorrow 8th June Thursday at Kamuzu International Airport around 12 pm…Thank you all who are planning to welcome me,” Chawinga posted on his official facebook page.

Chawinga made history after becoming the first African player to win the Italian Serie A Women’s Golden Boot Award for the 2022–23 season.

The Golden Boot is normally awarded to the highest goal scorer of a football season or tournament, and Chawinga easily clinched this after netting 23 goals in the season under review.

The 27-year-old Inter Milan footballer completed the campaign eight goals ahead of Juventus’ Cristiana Gireli.

Malawi will hope she is available for this year’s Council of Southern African Football COSAFA Women’s Championship, which is set to be staged in South Africa.

Tabitha, who is on loan from Chinese side Wuhan Jianghan University FC, is a high-flying performer with a Golden Boot won in Sweden and China.

According to the Seria A website, Chawinga and Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir are the only players in the top five European leagues to have scored at least 15 goals without any penalties.

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