Ballon d’Or: ‘One of the best’ – Tabitha Chawinga names player to win award

Malawi forward Tabitha Chawinga has expressed her belief that her younger sister, Temwa Chawinga, will be the recipient of the Women’s Ballon d’Or award. The recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco saw Temwa claim the Golden Boot with an impressive five goals. Among the other contenders for the prestigious award were Barbra Banda, Marie Ngah Manga, and Inès Konan.

Despite the Chawinga sisters not winning the tournament trophy, losing 3-0 in the final, Tabitha has praised Temwa as a "superstar" and one of the best players in the world. She told ESPN, "I believe in my sister, she’s my superstar. She’s one of the best players in the world." Tabitha is confident that Temwa will not only win the Golden Boot but also the awards for Best Player in Africa and potentially the Ballon d’Or itself.

She expressed her admiration for her sister's talent, hard work, and the impact she has made in the sport, saying, "Absolutely, I give her my respect." Reflecting on her own journey, Tabitha acknowledged that she did not have the opportunity to win the Ballon d’Or when she was younger, but she wishes her sister the same success and believes in her potential to achieve it.