Latest News

Double honour for Nigeria as Nnadozie, Madugu earn Ballon d’Or nominations

Chiamaka Nnadozie

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie and Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu have been nominated for top individual honours ahead of the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Nnadozie is one of five nominees for the Women’s Yachine Trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world.

The 24-year-old had a stellar year, winning the 2024/25 Coupe de France Féminine with Paris FC before sealing a move to English side Brighton following the end of her contract in France.

She was also a standout performer as Nigeria won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), beating hosts Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final in Rabat.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL

Nnadozie won the Golden Glove award for her performances at the tournament, where she kept 4 clean sheets and delivered key saves throughout.

Double honour for Nigeria as Nnadozie, Madugu warn Ballon d'Or bominations

TOPSHOT – Nigeria’s goalkeeper #16 Chiamaka Nnadozie saves a penalty kick by Canada’s forward #12 Christine Sinclair during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group B football match between Nigeria and Canada at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on July 21, 2023. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Joining her on the Yachine shortlist are Spain’s Cata Coll (Barcelona), Chelsea pair Hannah Hampton and Ann-Katrin Berger, and Arsenal’s Daphne van Domselaar who helped her team win the UEFA Women’s Champions League, defeating Barcelona in the final.

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu is nominated for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year award after guiding Nigeria to a historic 10th WAFCON title.

In his first tournament in charge, Madugu went unbeaten, securing five wins and one draw across six matches.

Double honour for Nigeria as Nnadozie, Madugu warn Ballon d'Or bominations

Justine Madugu with the 2024 WAFCON title. Photo Credit: X

He is listed alongside Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor, Brazil’s Arthur Elias, Arsenal’s Renée Slegers, and England boss Sarina Wiegman.

Wiegman led the Lionesses to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, building on her reputation as one of the most consistent international coaches.

Under her leadership, England reached their third consecutive major tournament final and are currently ranked second in the world.

Bompastor helped Chelsea clinch a domestic double, winning the 2024–25 FA Women’s League Cup and securing a sixth straight Women’s Super League title.

READ MORE:npfl-enforces-strict-betting-ban-on-players-and-officials

Slegers, who took charge of Arsenal in January 2025, guided the club to their second-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League crown with a 1–0 win over Barcelona in May.

Ann-Katrin Berger played a key role for Gotham FC, keeping a clean sheet in the 1–0 win over Tigres to claim the inaugural CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

Hampton recorded 13 clean sheets in 22 league appearances as Chelsea completed an unbeaten league season, sharing the Golden Glove with Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

To Top