The sun is shining on DD Sunshine international burly striker Tabitha Chawinga, who is set to blaze the trail during trials at Swedish Division One side Krokom/Dvarsatts IF next month.
The first Malawian women footballer to attract European teams, Chawinga will do the test for three weeks at the Swedish Division One club from April 2, DD Sunshine managing director David Dube confirmed yesterday.
“We think this is a good opportunity for us to help this player to improve her football skills and at the same time increase the interest for our team and inspire younger players. Therefore, we have decided to invite this player to play with our team during 2014,” Dvasatts ladies team manager Torsten Olofsson and head of ladies section Anders Funseth wrote to Dube recently.
“We will take good care of her during her stay here in Sweden and also help with the arrangement for food, lodging and transportation. We think that by this, we will not only help the player and her club but we will strengthen our team and increase the interest for the sport locally.”
Dube established contacts with Krokom through the Lilongwe side’s former American player Melisa who now plays for the Swedish side which got impressed by Chawinga’s video clips.
“She flies out of the country on March 31, 2014 by Ethiopian Airlines. As a club, we are happy that our objectives are now being met. Two more players are being earmarked for another side in Europe end of this year. We hope this will help market and develop Malawi football,” Dube explained.
Dube thanked FAM, George Maguire of Africa Football Tours and the Norwegian Embassy for facilitating Chawinga’s visa.
The 18-year-old player is a regular for club and country.
National Women Football Committee chairperson Severia Chalira yesterday wrote Dube wishing Chawinga well in her European adventure.
“We hope she will open the window of opportunity to other Malawian players. They will appreciate that Malawi has talent as Tabitha is a talented and strong striker,” said Chalira about the striker who has six goals for the national team.
Malawi national women football team hopes to bounce back into international competitions after a year’s absence. It has since 2003 participated in Cosafa Cup twice and the Nations Cup qualifiers.
Sweden is ranked sixth out of 118 world women football national teams while Malawi is currently unranked due to the inactivity.
