Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, celebrated a historic milestone as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justin Madugu earned nominations for prestigious awards organized by France Football, ahead of the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The duo’s inclusion marks the first time Nigeria has secured dual nominations in the women’s categories of the globally recognized honors.
Nnadozie, a 24-year-old standout for Brighton & Hove Albion, was shortlisted for the Women’s Yachine Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper. She joins a competitive field featuring Ann-Katrin Berger of Chelsea, Spain’s Cata Coll, England’s Hannah Hampton, and Dutch shot-stopper Daphne van Domselaar. Nnadozie’s nomination follows a standout season where her agile performances and decisive saves elevated her profile in international football.
Madugu, tasked with steering the Super Falcons, received a nomination for the Women’s Coach of the Year award. His leadership earlier this year guided Nigeria to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in July, reinforcing the team’s dominance on the continent. He will compete against high-profile figures, including Sonia Bompastor, coach of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, Brazil’s Arthur Elias, Renée Slegers of the Netherlands, and England’s Sarina Wiegman.
The Super Falcons acknowledged the achievements through a post on their official social media account, applauding Nnadozie for letting “her gloves do the talking all season long” and hailing Madugu’s nomination as a landmark moment for Nigerian football. “Not just on the pitch, we’re winning on the touchline too,” the statement read. “History made for Nigeria.”
While the Yachine Trophy and coaching award were introduced in 2019 and 2023, respectively, these nominations highlight Nigeria’s rising influence in women’s football. Nnadozie’s recognition builds on her earlier accolades, including CAF’s 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year, while Madugu’s shortlisting underscores his immediate impact since taking the coaching reins. The Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled for late September in Paris, will serve as a platform to spotlight their contributions to the sport’s global stage.
