France-based Malawian women’s football icon Tabitha Chawinga says her team Paris Saint Germain (PSG) Women’s 1-3 victory over Italian side Roma on Wednesday night was crucial in their Uefa Champions League campaign.

The Scorchers captain scored once and provided an assist on her return to Italy as the Parisians moved a step up to second in Group C to boost their knockout stage qualification hopes.

Chawinga (L) captured
during the match

In an interview yesterday, Tabitha said: “Winning was not an option for us. It was a must because a loss or a draw could have lessened our qualification chances.

“So, yes, I was very happy to play a significant role in the victory, but as a team, we also played well.”

Following the win, PSG are second with six points from four matches, just a point behind leaders Ajax, who edged Bayern Munich 1-0. Bayern are third with five points while Roma anchor the four-team group with a point.

In a match monitored on PSG TV, Tabitha opened the scoresheet in the 26th minute with a left-footed chip.

She then turned the provider in the 67th minute, setting up Marie-Antoinette Katoto for the second before Korbin Albert put the game beyond the hosts’ reach in the 78th minute.

But Roma grabbed a late consolation goal through Manuela Giugliano with two minutes to full-time.

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