Malawi’s women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga was treated to celebrity status during her team Olympique Lyon’s match at Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in London in the Uefa Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg match.
Lyon registered a 2-1 win advantage in a nail-biting match on Saturday as the Malawi National Team captain’s dream of Champions League glory was kept alive.
Chawinga was the centre of attraction both before and after the match as she was requested to sign autographs and pose for pictures.
Among the people, who savoured rare moments, were former Malawi National Football Team prolific striker Esau Kanyenda now based in UK and Silver Strikers Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba, who is studying Master’s degree in sports management and entrepreneurship there.
Chimimba said despite that he talked to Chawinga before her team’s trip to England, he did not expect to meet her.
Said Chimimba: “I had spoken to Tabitha within the week and she knew I would be watching the game. But in a venue that had 40,000 spectators I didnt think we would meet.
“It happened that my seat was very close to the pitch and I had my Malawian flag, I was in the company of my two classmates from the US and when the teams were coming for the second half, Tabitha saw our flag.
“After the match, she went and waved their supporters and came to where I was, and talked to my colleagues who are very much into women football.
“Watching one of our own play in front of a 40,000 capacity crowd, staring for an International powerhouse and starting the match made me proud of her and Malawi.
“The Tabitha story gives hope to youngsters that anything in life is possible. You can be playing barefooted in the remotest area in Malawi and few years later rubbing shoulders with the best of the best.”
Tabitha also posted a message to express her milestone in an exciting career.
“I believe in the impossible. It drives me to achieve the extraordinary. Football isn’t just a game—it’s a mindset. It’s about risk, innovation, and pushing beyond limits. Every time I step on the pitch, I’m not just playing—I’m chasing a vision that others might not see yet. That’s the art of the possible.”
Lyon the most decorated team in Women’s European football, are chasing the ninth title and 12th final appearance.
They could face either Barcelona and another top UK team Chelsea should they reach the final.
